HIV/AIDS prevention policy processes in faith-based non-governmental organizations in Tanzania

Many faith-based organizations (FBOs) are providing valuable care and support to people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. The overall response of FBOs, however, has been controversial, particularly in regards to HIV/AIDS prevention and FBO’s rejection of condom use and promotion. This response has negatively influenced national HIV/AIDS prevention response efforts.

The aim of this thesis is to explore the factors influencing the HIV/AIDS prevention policy process within faith-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs) of different faiths, and in particular how faith is reflected in and interacts with this process. These processes were examined within three faith-based NGOs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – a Catholic, Anglican and Muslim organization. The research used an exploratory, qualitative case-study approach. It employed a health policy analysis framework, examining the context, actor, and process factors and how they interact to form content in terms of policy and practice within each organization.

Three key factors were found to influence faith-based NGOs’ HIV/AIDS prevention policy process in terms of both policy development and implementation: 1) the faith structure in which the organizations are a part, 2) the presence or absence of organizational policy, and 3) the professional nature of the organizations and its actors. The interaction between these factors, and how actors negotiate between them, was found to shape an organization’s HIV/AIDS prevention policy process.

By understanding the factors and processes that influence faith-based NGOs’ HIV/AIDS prevention policy process, and how this conflicts with the national policy response, more appropriate policies can be developed and implemented within faith-based NGOs. Furthermore, the government may be better able to identify how best to intervene and/or work with faith-based NGOs in order to meet their HIV/AIDS prevention targets, and achieve a more uniform and evidence-based approach to HIV/AIDS prevention.