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Volume 8 J Community Med Health Educ, an open access journal
ISSN: 2161-0711 Public Health 2018
February 26-28, 2018
PUBLIC HEALTH AND NUTRITION
3rd World Congress on
February 26-28, 2018 London, UK
THEATTITUDESANDACTIVITIES OF PASTORSAND FAITH LEADERS IN ZIMBABWE ON
THE USE OF FAMILY PLANNING METHODS AMONG THEIR MEMBERS
Moses Alikalia
aGeneral Board of Global Ministries, Zimbabwe
Faith leaders are important gatekeepers in disseminating reproductive health messages and influencing positive behaviour
change within communities. Faith leaders are seen as the most powerful, visible, and reachable form of authority, even
trusted more than governments or non-profit organisations. In addition to providing counsel and advice aimed at enhancing
health and wellbeing of the worshippers, faith leaders also play an important role in advocating and influencing what is
taught in schools and what services are provided in healthcare facilities. Because of this influence, faith leaders often have an
unparalleled opportunity—indeed, a moral obligation—to prioritise conversations about family planning, advocating, and
closing the contraception gap. The overall objective of this study was to ascertain the attitude and activities of pastors and faith
leaders in Zimbabwe on the use of family planning methods among their members. The result of this study revealed some faith
leaders believed that spreading information about family planning education was the responsibility of the government and
tended to avoid such responsibility. However, through training on family planning advocacy much can be achieved.
Biography
Moses Alikali is a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist with vast experience in HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Family Planning, OVC, Maternal and Child Health and Health
System Strengthening projects. His educational background in Mathematics and Statistics has given him broad knowledge in research. He obtained certificates
in Epidemiology and Public Health in Humanitarian Crises from Johns Hopkins University as well as certificate in Programme Monitoring and Evaluation from
the University of Zimbabwe. Presently he has been working with the Global Ministries-Global Health in Zimbabwe as a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (Global
Mission Fellows).
Moses Alikali, J Community Med Health Educ 2018, Vol 8
DOI: 10.4172/2161-0711-C1-032