1 vs. 33.0%,

respectively; P = 0.016) and no Muslims believed that the use of medicines implied lack of faith (0.0 vs. 5.4%, respectively; P = 0.012). Fewer than one in ten participants had received HIV/AIDS information from faith leaders or faith-based organisations prior learn more to testing. Forty per cent of participants agreed that people who disclosed their HIV status were at risk of isolation from mosques/church. This belief was slightly more prevalent among those who attended services more frequently, but the difference was not statistically significant. Bivariate analysis found that there was no relationship between religiousness (as measured using frequency of attendance at religious services and religious attitudes or beliefs) and late diagnosis. There was also no relationship between religiousness and changes in CD4 cell count 6 months after diagnosis. Belief in healing or the importance of religion was not associated with starting antiretroviral therapy (75% of those who believed that

taking medicines implied lack of faith had started antiretroviral therapy compared with 67.9% of those who did not; P = 0.954; data not shown) or viral load (at diagnosis or 6 months afterwards for those on antiretroviral therapy). The results of this cross-sectional study examining late diagnosis in Black Africans living in London indicate that strong religious beliefs about faith and healing do not act as a barrier to accessing HIV services or antiretroviral Apoptosis Compound Library manufacturer treatment. As expected for this population group, religion and expression of religious belief through

service attendance were very important to most of the participants. Given the importance of religion, it follows that a large proportion of participants indicated that they believed in the power of healing through prayer, and suggested that ‘faith alone could heal HIV’. However, this belief in healing through faith was not translated into the perception that medication is unnecessary; only a small percentage of participants believed that taking antiretroviral therapy implied a lack of faith. Although it may seem contradictory to believe in a faith-based cure and yet still take man-made medicines, it seems that most OSBPL9 individuals are able to reconcile their faith in the ability of God to heal HIV infection and the knowledge that they themselves will still need to take antiretroviral therapy to remain well. This is supported by the finding that there was no significant difference in uptake of medication and CD4 and virological response between those with strong religious beliefs and those without. Although the belief that HIV infection can only be cured through prayer and that adherence to antiretroviral therapy represents a lack of faith exists, it is not widespread within African communities in London.