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Federation of Islamic Medical

Associations (FIMA) Resource

Centre for Promotion of the

Islamic Approach to HIV/AIDS

2013/2014 Report

Prof. Magid Kagimu

Chairman, Islamic Medical Association of Uganda

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Location Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital which is

owned and run by the Islamic Medical Association of Uganda.

Physical Address: Wattuba 14 km from Kampala on Bombo Road

Mailing address: P.O. Box 2773 KampalaEmail address: imau@utlonline.co.ugTelephone: 256-414-570701/3/4 and o414-370385Contact person: Prof Magid Kagimu. Email:

mmkagimu@utlonline.co.ug and magidkagimu@gmail.com. Mobile 256-782-016868

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FIMA – HIV/AIDS Resource centerAchievements1. Repackaging and rooting the 5

pillars of the Islamic Approach to HIV/AIDS into the 5 pillars of Islam based on a scientific research evidence base.

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FIMA – HIV/AIDS Resource centerPillar 1: Believing in, trusting and obeying Allah

and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Scientific evidence of its value in HIV prevention: This pillar is supported by scientific data,

showing that people with higher levels of the following dimensions of religiosity related to believing in Allah have lower HIV infection rates compared to those with lower levels of these dimensions:

Dimensions related to Believing in Allah that are supportive of HIV prevention

1. Try hard to love Allah with all your heart, soul and mind

2. Feel guided by Allah amidst daily activities

3. Feel thankful for Allah’s blessings4. Ask for Allah’s help amidst daily

activities

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FIMA – HIV/AIDS Resource center

Pillar 2: Performing regular prayers (Salat)

Scientific evidence of its value in HIV prevention:

This pillar is supported by scientific data showing that people who pray regularly several times daily, resulting in getting Sujda on their forehead, have lower HIV infection rates compared to those who do not pray regularly and have no Sujda.

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FIMA – HIV/AIDS Resource centerPillar 3. Paying Zakat. This requires listening to and cooperation

with religious leaders and their administrative structures .

Scientific evidence of its value in HIV prevention:

This pillar is supported by scientific data showing that people who frequently listen to or watch religious leaders’ programs on radio and TV are more likely to have good behaviours that are expected to reduce new HIV infections compared to those who do not.

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FIMA – HIV/AIDS Resource CentrePillar 4: Fasting in Ramadhan.This indicates self control or Jihad Nafs.

Scientific evidence of its value in HIV prevention: This pillar is supported by the scientific data

showing that people who fast the one month of Ramadhan or more as one of the means of self control, in accordance with their Islamic faith teachings, have lower HIV infection rates compared to those who do not.

In addition people who frequently try hard to be

patient and exercise self control in their dealing with themselves and others at home, work and during leisure in accordance with Allah’s guidance, have lower HIV infection rates compared to those who have lower levels of this behaviour.

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FIMA – HIV/AIDS Resource center

Pillar 5: Pilgrimage (Hajj) This involves travelling and learning about

Allah’s world and how peoples’ religiosity makes them converge annually in millions at Makka as an act of worship to Allah.

Scientific evidence of its value in HIV prevention:

This pillar is supported by scientific data showing that people with higher levels of religiosity have lower HIV infection rates when compared to those with lower levels of religiosity.

FIMA – HIV/AIDS Resource centerMechanism of action of the 5 pillars of the

Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS in reducing HIV infection rates:

Lower rates of addiction to sex, alcohol and narcotic drugs that predispose to HIV infections as well as adherence to Islamic practices such as circumcision in accordance with Islamic teachings and guidelines that reduce the risk of HIV infections.

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FIMA – HIV/AIDS Resource center

2. Promoted the Faith based Approach to accelerating delivery of comprehensive HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment and Care services (FABAPTCA Package).

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Clients/Patients, Families and communities.Community educators (religious leaders, Local Council leaders, PLWHA, Community leaders and assistants) participate in Community education through:Home visits, Group talks, Mini lectures & SermonsCommunity educators’ monthly meetingsOutreach HIV/AIDS services at health facilities together with health care workers.Encouraging adherence to FABA, ART, PMTCT, FP, SMC, HCT, TB care. Referral of clientsFacilitating community education by encouraging dialogue, theological reflections and conversations on HIV/AIDS related issues of:Combination HIV Prevention (Behavioral, biomedical, structural )TreatmentCare and SupportYouthChildren and orphansPeople living with HIV/AIDSGenderMost at risk populationsStigma and discriminationHuman rights, dignity and justiceBenefit of Faith-basedapproach to HIV/AIDS.Motivation for actionSustained commitmentHolistic vision of healthFaith-based Approach to HIV/AIDS

Health facilities Health care workers offer:ReceptionANCLaboratory servicesLabour suiteTheatreMaternity wardsGeneral wardsART servicesPMTCTPediatric HIV careAdult HIV careCare for TB/HIVHCTSMCFPM&EOther medical servicesFaith-based Approach to HIV/AIDS

Community educators use:Referral cardsClient contactsPersonal contactsCommunication through letters, phoneVisit to health facilities

Health care workers use:Home visits to:Pregnant mothers and PLWHAs and their families for PMTCT, HBHCT, ART adherence, & medical advice adherence.Families for HBHCT, SMC, counseling & health educationCommunication through:Client contactsLetters, phoneThank you cards.

Health FacilityLinkages

AbbreviationsPMTCT: Prevention of Mother to Child HIV TransmissionART: Anti-retroviral treatmentHBHCT: Home based HIV Counselling and TestingPLWHAs: People Living with HIV/AIDSANC: Antenatal ClinicHCT: HIV Counselling and TestingFABA: Faith-based approach to HIV/AIDSSMC: Safe Male CircumcisionFP: Family PlanningTB: TuberculosisM&E: Monitoring and Evaluation

Figure 1b: IMAU’s Faith-based approach to Accelerating Delivery of Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment and Care Services (FABAPTCA package)

Community

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FIMA – HIV/AIDS Resource centerConclusions:FIMA – HIV AIDS Resource Centre needs

to be utilized by all IMAs and requires more human, technical and financial resources to be able to more effectively contribute to the desired international UNAIDS Vision of:Zero new HIV infectionsZero AIDS related deathsZero discrimination against people living

with HIV/AIDS.