Khutbah and Sermon Guides on Children and HIV for Religious Leaders

These Islamic and Christian khutbar or sermon guides were developed to empower religious leaders in Kenya with the tools and skills to reach their congregations with key messages on paediatric HIV transmission and prevention. The guides deal with: the importance of testing and counselling; stigma and discrimination; treatment, care, and support and the role of parents and caregivers; and male involvement in the HIV prevention and response continuum.

As explained in the guides, paediatric HIV remains a significant challenge to the AIDS response worldwide, as well as in Kenya. “By the end of 2015, a total of 171,510 people were living with HIV in Nairobi County; of these, 14 percent were young people aged 15-24 years and 5 percent were children under the age of 15 years. Approximately 260 children and 2,177 adults died of AIDS-related conditions in 2015; and an estimated 614,000 children and adolescents (179,770 aged 0 to 14, and 435,224 aged 15 to 24) are living with HIV; of these, only 42 percent are receiving lifesaving care and treatment.”

The sermon guides have been developed as part of the activities of the Strengthening High Impact Interventions for an AIDS-free Generation (AIDSFree) Project, which is using a community approach to engage the faith sector as part of efforts to expand HIV care and treatment services in Kenya. As stated in the guide, “An estimated 90 percent of Kenyans practice some form of religion, and religious leaders have an influential role on behavior change and social norms. Engaging the faith community is a largely untapped opportunity and has the potential to increase community knowledge; and attitude and practices, e.g., demand for and access to pediatric care and treatment services. These activities contribute to the Ministry of Health, Kenya efforts to achieve the 90–90–90 targets. This approach aims to have 90 percent of HIV-positive people know their HIV status; and out of those testing positive, 90 percent are put on HIV treatment; and out of those on treatment, 90 percent achieve viral suppression (minimal level of virus in the body).”

Both guides were developed in collaboration with religious leaders at the grassroots level and theologians in Nairobi, Kenya, taking cognisance of grassroots realities. They are therefore written to reflect the original tone and language used by the clergy and theologians who developed the sermon messages. The guides have sought to preserve this authenticity to ensure that the guide is adaptable to its primary audience, i.e., religious leaders in Nairobi, Kenya. However, as indicated in the guides, the messages can be adapted to suit different country contexts.

Both guides offer the following sections, which contain key messages - such as the importance of mothers' and babies' health, the importance of knowledge to save lives, the responsibility of parents and guardians, etc. - that are supported by texts in the Quran and Bible:

Section 1: HIV Transmission and Prevention in Children
Section 2: Importance of Knowing Your Status
Section 3: Importance of Enrolling and Retaining Children in HIV Care and Treatment
Section 4: Importance of a Supportive Family and Community for Children Living with HIV
Section 5: Importance of Positive Living in Children Living with HIV