AIDS is Real and It's in Our Church - Contents

AIDS is Real and It's in Our Church HIV/AIDS in the African Church

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Tuesday, 29 November 2005
Contents Dedication and Acknowledgements Introduction Whispers at the Burial: Isaac’s Story Chapter 1: What Are HIV and AIDS? Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) What is the immune system? HIV attacks the body’s defences What the word "AIDS" means What are the stages leading to AIDS? Common signs and symptoms in symptomatic stage of HIV Signs of AIDS Factors influencing the progression to AIDS Health before infection Treatment and prevention of opportunistic infections Diet and vitamins Two infected persons can shorten each other’s lives Personal care Discussion Questions “My husband was the first man I allowed to touch me.” (Sarah's Story) 2. What is an HIV Test and Where Can I Get One? Reasons people choose to be tested for HIV To have an HIV test or not is your own decision What does an HIV test show? Types of HIV Tests Testing for HIV infection in young babies What is an HIV carrier? Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) Centres Advantages of being tested Pre-marital testing Discussion Questions “If only I had said "NO" to Uncle!” Naomi's story 3. How Does a Person Become Infected with HIV? HIV spreads by sexual intercourse HIV spreads from mother to baby In the womb before delivery During the birth process During breast-feeding Should HIV-infected mothers breast-feed their babies? Decreasing the risk of breast-feeding You cannot know if a baby has HIV until 18 months after birth HIV is passed by infected blood transfusions HIV is passed by sharing needles HIV is passed by sharing other sharp instruments Risk to health workers How long does the HIV virus survive outside the body? Discussion Questions Ruth’s blood transfusion 4. How Can You And I Avoid Getting AIDS? Keep sex for marriage Avoiding dangerous blood transfusions One man, one needle; one man, one blade (Use sterile instruments for cutting and injecting) Avoiding HIV infections in the case of rape Avoid drugs and alcohol Treat sexually transmitted diseases promptly Circumcision Health workers need to be careful Discussion Questions God Uses Lydia’s Tragedy to Bring Her to Faith in Him 5. Ways That AIDS Is Not Spread Statistics confirm that AIDS is not spread by casual contact Do mosquitoes spread AIDS? Discussion Questions Mary and Joel AIDS no dey show for face 6. HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases The following signs may mean that a person has a sexually transmitted disease Preventing and treating sexually-transmitted diseases Discussion Questions “I no go fit catch am in Jesus name.” 7. Where and When Did AIDS Start? Remember our proper focus Theories of the origin of HIV/AIDS Discussion Questions Psalm 60, the AIDS Psalm (an African Paraphrase) 8. HIV: How Big Is the Problem Already? Shocking facts about the extent of HIV/AIDS in Africa Falling Life Expectancy East, Central and Southern Africa Beyond Africa Discussion Questions 9. Social Reasons for the Fast Spread of HIV/AIDS Ignorance False information Parents’ silence Cultural issues of power and gender Shame, stigma, fear and denial Jesus and Sinners Military forces overseas Poverty and urbanisation Life in the City Separation of families Travel Traditional practices Bride price and dowry Polygamy Sharing wives Sex on ritual occasions Unsafe cutting The inferior status of women Discussion Questions Ibrahim and His Family 10. False Beliefs and Practices about Sex and Childbearing Myth: No sex while breast-feeding the baby Myth: No sex after menopause Myth: If there is no male child, the wife is to blame Myth: No sex during pregnancy Myth: No sexual intercourse for a long time after a stillbirth Myth: Women should not show evidence of enjoying sexual intercourse Myth: No sex makes a man weak in his body Myth: Sex with a virgin will cure me from AIDS Myth: Women who do not conceive are cursed by their ancestors Discussion Questions 11. Is There Any Vaccine or Cure for AIDS? Is there an HIV vaccine? Unproven and questionable cures Prayer for healing Discussion Questions 12. Antiretroviral Drugs Basic points about antiretroviral drugs A little history ARVs stop the virus from multiplying ARVs can slow the illness of AIDS ARVs do not prevent transmission of HIV ARVs do not work forever: the problem of resistance Preventing resistance Things to consider before starting antiretroviral treatment Timing Commitment Will the drugs help? Side effects Things to consider during antiretroviral treatment Caring for children on ARV treatment Discussion Questions The Monkeys’ New Houses Discussion Questions Esther’s Parents Do Not Understand Her Discussion Questions 13. What about Condoms? Condoms in marriage Correct condom use Is safe sex possible using a condom? “Moral but unsafe” versus “immoral but safe” Widespread condom promotion is not the answer to the AIDS problem False security Three Buses in the Motor Park Condom promotion alone is an impractical message Young people lack the knowledge and discipline to use condoms consistently Promoting condoms alone can encourage people to disobey God’s law The danger of having an “anti-condom” campaign instead of an anti-AIDS campaign Discussion Questions Loraine’s Personal Advice on Sugar Daddies 14. Biblical and Pastoral Counselling of Those with HIV/AIDS Purposes of Counselling HIV testing of those planning to marry Preparing the engaged couple for HIV testing (Pre-test counselling) Counselling engaged couples when the HIV test for both the man and woman is negative Counselling engaged couples when the HIV test is positive in one of them Reactions of those found to have HIV infection Counselling engaged couples when the HIV test is positive for both Psychological and spiritual help for people living with HIV/AIDS Counselling the married couple living with HIV Reactions to each other Sex without ‘Sex’ Condoms for married couples (see also Condoms in Marriage from "What About Condoms?" chapter) Other issues for married couples Family decisions Children affected by AIDS Family reconciliations Family support Discussion Questions Grace’s Family Mourns Alone 15. Home Care for a Person with HIV/AIDS Story: Peter and Ismail Care and support A Clean environment Food and nutrition Home care for specific problems Mouth sores Diarrhoea Bedsores Pain control Cough and tuberculosis Children with AIDS Caring for the care-givers Simple funerals Discussion Questions No One Has Come to Sing 16. The Role of the Church in Caring for Children Affected by HIV/AIDS The church champions the rights of orphans The church supports the extended family Orphanages and alternatives Preparing children for loss The memory book Will the church meet the challenge? Discussion Questions Hard to Believe: A Story from Zimbabwe 17. AIDS and the Church Getting what we deserve? The example of Jesus Jesus the Servant Cautions against judging others Does compassion mean we are excusing sin? I was sick and you looked after me The role of the church in preventing AIDS What the church must teach about sex Peer teaching Sexual purity is essential for the Christian The role of the church in advocacy and best practice Other ways that the church can encourage its members to be more involved in the AIDS issue The church’s responsibility to pray Discussion Questions Trading with God Conclusion What Christians Believe Resources
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 13 December 2005 )

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