Attitudes of church leaders towards congregants taking antiretroviral therapy in Vhembe District, Limpopo, South Africa

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed at exploring church leaders' attitudes towards congregants who are taking antiretroviral therapy in the Vhembe District. Research Design: A qualitative research approach with an exploratory, descriptive design was used. Setting: The proposed research was conducted in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province. Population: The study population was church leaders and congregants of registered churches registered in the Vhembe District. Sampling: The non-probability purposive sampling was used to select church leaders and congregants. The sample size was determined by data saturation. Data collection and analysis methods: In-depth semi-structured interviews were utilised to collect data. Thematic analysis was done using Tesch's eight steps. Results: A total of 30 participants, consisting of 24 church congregants and six church leaders participated. From the thematic analysis, church leaders’ attitudes were positive and negative. Positive attitudes included encouragement, while negative attitudes included judgemental attitudes, lack of acceptance and faith- based healing versus taking antiretroviral therapy. Stigma and discrimination took the form of labelling and exclusion and participants recommended information sharing and involvement of the Department of Health in training.