The L.I.F.T. Project–the 6 Intervention Mapping Steps to Create a Faith-Based HIV Health Education Intervention in the U.S. South

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Memphis, TN ranks first in the U.S. for HIV incidence and is designated as a high priority geographic area by the U.S. Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) Initiative. National EHE goals call for active engagement of all community sectors, including faith-based organizations, to promote HIV testing and prevention. Given Memphis’ high density of predominately Black Churches and faith-centric culture, these institutions serve as a strategic platform for culturally tailored behavioral interventions. This study details the 6 behavioral intervention mapping (IM) steps used to plan, implement, and evaluate Leading by Igniting Faith and Education to Tackle Stigma (L.I.F.T.)—a faith-based HIV health education curriculum addressing HIV testing and prevention discrepancies in high HIV-incidence areas. IM is a systematic approach, useful for involving faith communities by providing a theory-informed scaffolding to address HIV disparities via community education programming.