PHECKO OGAMBI: Church should play role in health education

Asked why they go to church most Christians would reply, ‘to get spiritual nourishment’.

While this is the primary reason, the church should be structured to offer more than that. The church has all groups of people from children to the youth, women, men and the elderly.

These groups have various health concerns. Some concerns cut across the board, like Covid-19. Thus, health education, in general, is necessary in the church.

So why make the church a health promotion platform?

Religious affiliation and regularly congregating to worship has been shown to improve physical and psychological health.

Various explanations for this relationship exist, including the positive effect of social networks and social support provided by fellow members, and the role of prayer, beliefs, and religious practices in psychological well-being.

Typically, churches have resources to conduct health promotion. In this case, the building itself can be used to hold meetings or education forums.

In addition, churches may provide access to groups that are already convening regularly for weekly services and activities such as midweek or home cell fellowships, Sunday School and Bible study.

The church can include health as part of its mission or ministry, institute health committees and participate in community outreach activities.

As an institution with a stable membership who attend frequently over a long period of time, the church can provide an attractive venue to conduct health education forums/activities. The church has an advantage over other places such as workplaces, which have become less stable owing to economic changes and globalisation. 

As an institution, the church has been the centre of spiritual and social life for many Africans. The church is often among the most visible, respected, and credible agencies in the community, and as such, the legitimacy of public health agencies that partner with churches may be considerably enhanced.

Epidemiologist