Health Promotion Needs in Faith-Based Organizations: Perceptions of Religious Leaders in Bamako

Boubacar Sidibé; Aja Kneip Pelster; John Noble; Danae Dinkel

doi:10.1007/s10943-018-0650-y

Health Promotion Needs in Faith-Based Organizations: Perceptions of Religious Leaders in Bamako

J Relig Health. 2019 Apr;58(2):639-652. doi: 10.1007/s10943-018-0650-y.

Authors

Boubacar Sidibé¹, Aja Kneip Pelster¹, John Noble¹, Danae Dinkel²

Affiliations

¹ School of Health and Kinesiology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68182, USA.
² School of Health and Kinesiology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68182, USA. dmdinkel@unomaha.edu.

PMID: 29948790
DOI: 10.1007/s10943-018-0650-y

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore imams' and pastors' perspectives of the health promotion needs of congregants in Bamako, Mali and to examine the physical environment for health promotion in faith-based organizations' (FBOs). In-depth one-on-one interviews were conducted with imams (n = 10) and pastors (n = 2) as well as observations of the physical environment in FBOs in Bamako, Mali. Data were analyzed using a content analysis approach guided by the social ecological model. Leaders frequently mentioned poverty and affordability as challenges perceived by congregants but congregants support each other with financial contributions. The main challenge mentioned was a lack of knowledge among leaders (primarily imams) about health and health programs.

Keywords: Faith-based; Health promotion; Imams; Needs assessment; Pastors.

MeSH terms

Clergy
Faith-Based Organizations*
Health Promotion*
Humans
Mali