Using concept mapping to mobilize a Black faith community to address HIV

Abstract

Research that partners with community stakeholders increases contextual relevance and community buy-in and maximizes the chance for intervention success. Within a framework of an academic-community partnership, this project assessed a Black faith-community's needs and opportunities to address HIV. We used concept mapping to identify/prioritize specific HIV-related strategies that would be acceptable to congregations. Ninety stakeholders brainstormed strategies to address HIV; 21 sorted strategies into groups and rated their importance and feasibility. Multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis were applied to the sorting to produce maps that illustrated the stakeholders' conceptual thinking about HIV interventions. Of 278 responses, 93 were used in the sorting task. The visual maps represented eight clusters: church acceptance of people living with HIV; education (most feasible); mobilization and communication; church/leaders' empowerment; church involvement/collaboration; safety/HIV prevention; media outreach; and, stigma (most important). Concept mapping clarified multifaceted issues of HIV in the Black faith community. The results will guide HIV programming in congregations.

Keywords: AIDS; Black faith community; HIV; HIV intervention strategies; acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; concept mapping; human immunodeficiency virus.

Figure 1. Point and cluster map -- strategies to address HIV in a Black faith community^a (BC = Black church)

^aClusters:

1. Black churches’ acceptance of and openness to PLWHs

2. Education about HIV among Black youth, families, and communities

3. Black community mobilization and honest communication about HIV

4. Engaging and supporting church members and leaders in talking about HIV

5. Direct actions churches can take in addressing HIV

6. Suggested strategies for HIV safety and prevention

7. Media methods to increase awareness about HIV

8. Addressing sexual and other stigmas about HIV

Figure 2. Pattern matching of rank-ordered clusters by importance and feasibility^a: all sorters^b (BC = Black church)

^aHigher values indicate greater importance and greater feasibility ^bProfessionals, community, and individuals personally affected by HIV (i.e., HIV-infected and at-risk individuals; family/friends of people living with HIV [PLWH])

Figure 3. Pattern matching of rank-ordered clusters by importance and feasibility^a: professionals (BC = Black church)

^aHigher values indicate greater importance and greater feasibility

Figure 4. Pattern matching of rank-ordered clusters by importance and feasibility^a: community (BC = Black church)

^aHigher values indicate greater importance and greater feasibility

Figure 5. Pattern matching of rank-ordered clusters by importance and feasibility^a: individuals personally affected by HIV (BC = Black church)

^aHigher values indicate greater importance and greater feasibility