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Tan MM, Musa AF, Su TT. The role of religion in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic: the Malaysian multi-faith perspectives. Health Promot Int 2022; 37:daab041. [PMID: 33928389 PMCID: PMC8135627 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daab041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Social distancing is crucial in breaking the cycle of transmission of COVID-19. However, many religions require the faithful to congregate. In Malaysia, the number of COVID-19 cases spiked up from below 30 in February 2020 to more than a thousand a month later. The sudden increase was mostly linked to a large Islamic gathering attended by 16,000 near the capital, Kuala Lumpur. Another large COVID-19 cluster was from a church gathering in Kuching, Sarawak. Within a few weeks, Malaysia became the worst hit country by COVID-19 in Southeast Asia. While religious leaders have advised social distancing among their congregants, the belief that "God is our shield" is often cited for gathering. There is a need to promote sound decision-making among religious adherents so that they will not prioritize their loyalty to the subjective interpretation of religion over evidence-based medicine. Malaysia, a multi-cultural and multi-faith country, is an example of how religious beliefs could strongly influence health behaviours at individual and community levels. In this article, we detail the religious aspects of COVID-19 prevention and control in Malaysia and discuss the possible role of religious organizations in encouraging sound decision-making among religious adherents in mitigating this crisis. We make recommendations on how to promote a partnership between the healthcare system and religious organizations, and how religion and faith could be integrated into health promotion channels and resources in the response of COVID-19 and future communicable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Min Tan
- South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO) & Global Public Health, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
| | - Ahmad Farouk Musa
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
| | - Tin Tin Su
- South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO) & Global Public Health, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
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Hallonsten S. "No More Buzz": A Qualitative Study of the Current Response to HIV in the Anglican Church in the Western Cape, South Africa. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2017; 56:1201-1211. [PMID: 28425007 PMCID: PMC5488159 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-017-0397-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Using a triangulation design combining participant observation, survey results, and interviews, this paper studies the current form of the response to HIV in the local Anglican Church in the Western Cape, South Africa. The results show that people are generally aware of HIV. The "buzz" around HIV has, however, subsided. The local church does not directly engage HIV anymore, and HIV is more mentioned than talked about. HIV stigma continues to pose a challenge. To work towards the prevention of HIV, the local church needs to put HIV back on the agenda and continue to speak about the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Hallonsten
- Department of Theology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
- , 56 Hobson Street, Boston, MA, 02135, USA.
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Makgahlela MW, Sodi T. Cultural conceptions of a bereavement-related illness in a South African indigenous community. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY IN AFRICA 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/14330237.2016.1250407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tholene Sodi
- Department of Psychology, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, South Africa
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Patrice-Coy C, Johnson EJ, Boodram CAS. Sexual behavior of female adolescents on the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STDs in Carriacou. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016; 95:e4800. [PMID: 27603390 PMCID: PMC5023913 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000004800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This article explores information relating to female adolescents knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Carriacou. The authors aimed at finding out whether adolescent females in Carriacou receive adequate information about HIV and other STDs. Where did students receive most of their information about HIV/STDs and whether the knowledge has influenced their sexual behaviors? Furthermore, this study focused on how female adolescents feel toward people living with HIV/STDs.Focus group method was employed with 2 age groups of female adolescent students. Content analysis was carried out by the researcher to analyze the data. Themes were developed using coding and thematic analysis.The findings revealed that female adolescents were highly aware of HIV/STDs-related facts. They were knowledgeable and have received adequate information about HIV/STDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celestine Patrice-Coy
- Department of Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of the West Indies
| | - Emmanuel Janagan Johnson
- Social Work Unit, Department of Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of the West Indies
- Correspondence: Emmanuel Janagan Johnson, Social Work Unit, Department of Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, Trinidad (e-mail: )
| | - Cheryl Ann Sarita Boodram
- Social Work Unit, Department of Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of the West Indies
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Devine-Wright H, Abraham C, Onya H, Ramatsea S, Themane M, Aarø LE. Correlates of condom use and condom-use motivation among young South Africans. JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/jasp.12328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Charles Abraham
- University of Exeter Medical School; University of Exeter; Exeter Devon
| | | | - Susan Ramatsea
- Health Promotion Unit, School of Public Health; University of Limpopo; Polokwane
| | | | - Leif Edvard Aarø
- Department of Health Promotion and Development, Faculty of Psychology; University of Bergen
- Division of Mental Health; Norwegian Institute of Public Health
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Xu J, Zhu H, Gao X, Liu W, Du Y. How to effectively detect and manage people living with HIV/AIDS in China: establishment of a community-based model. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 32:637-641. [PMID: 23073790 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-012-1010-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study explored a novel systemic community-based model for detecting and managing people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used in this study. A quantitative questionnaire investigation was conducted in a sample of 1192 subjects which were randomly selected from two areas with high HIV prevalence, Xiangfan City and Shiyan City of Hubei Province, China. Twenty-two medical and health service staffs were interviewed by semi-structured questionnaire focusing on awareness, status, problems, and suggestions about community-based Voluntary Counseling and Testing and Provider Initiated Testing and Counseling (VCT/PITC). And they were organized to discuss about the aforementioned issues in Xiangfan City and Shiyan City, respectively. Our results showed that the accessibility and availability of the general VCT/PITC were bad. About 28.3% had known and only 4.9% had made use of VCT/PITC. Developing community-based VCT/PITC had some special advantages that can overcome some existing problems to remedy the aforementioned defects. We are led to conclude that, to maximize the availability and uptake rate of the VCT/PITC, we plan to detect PLWHA by developing the community-based VCT/PITC through 4 paths. Then we establish the community HIV health care center constituted of 8 sectors to provide an overall management. Thus, we can effectively detect and manage the PLWHA with a new systemic community-based model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xu
- Department of Child & Woman Health Care, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Huiping Zhu
- Department of Child & Woman Health Care, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xiaohui Gao
- Department of Child & Woman Health Care, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Child & Woman Health Care, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yukai Du
- Department of Child & Woman Health Care, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Ragnarsson A, Thorson A, Dover P, Carter J, Ilako F, Indalo D, Ekstrom AM. Sexual risk-reduction strategies among HIV-infected men receiving ART in Kibera, Nairobi. AIDS Care 2011; 23:315-21. [PMID: 21347894 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2010.507753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
This paper explores motivational factors and barriers to sexual behaviour change among men receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART). Twenty in-depth interviews were undertaken with male patients enrolled at the African Medical and Research Foundation clinic in Africa's largest urban informal settlement, Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya. All participants experienced prolonged and severe illness prior to the initiation of ART. Fear of symptom relapse was the main trigger for sexual behaviour change. Partner reduction was reported as a first option for behaviour change since this decision could be made by the individual. Condom use was perceived as more difficult as it had to be negotiated with female partners. Cultural norms regarding expectations for reproduction and marriage were not supportive of sexual risk-reduction strategies. Thus, local sociocultural contexts of HIV-infected people must be incorporated into the contextual adaptation and design of ART programmes and services as they have an over-riding influence on sexual behaviour and programme effectiveness. Also, HIV-prevention interventions need to address both personal, micro- and macro-level factors of behaviour to encourage individuals to take on sexual risk-reduction strategies. In order to achieve the anticipated preventive effect of ART, these issues are important for the donor community and policy-makers, who are the major providers of ART programme support within weak health systems in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Ragnarsson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Global Health, IHCAR, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Roura M, Nsigaye R, Nhandi B, Wamoyi J, Busza J, Urassa M, Todd J, Zaba B. "Driving the devil away": qualitative insights into miraculous cures for AIDS in a rural Tanzanian ward. BMC Public Health 2010; 10:427. [PMID: 20646300 PMCID: PMC2916904 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-10-427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2010] [Accepted: 07/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of religious beliefs in the prevention of HIV and attitudes towards the infected has received considerable attention. However, little research has been conducted on Faith Leaders' (FLs) perceptions of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the developing world. This study investigated FLs' attitudes towards different HIV treatment options (traditional, medical and spiritual) available in a rural Tanzanian ward. METHODS Qualitative interviews were conducted with 25 FLs purposively selected to account for all the denominations present in the area. Data was organised into themes using the software package NVIVO-7. The field work guidelines were tailored as new topics emerged and additional codes progressively added to the coding frame. RESULTS Traditional healers (THs) and FLs were often reported as antagonists but duality prevailed and many FLs simultaneously believed in traditional healing. Inter-denomination mobility was high and guided by pragmatism.Praying for the sick was a common practice and over one third of respondents said that prayer could cure HIV. Being HIV-positive was often seen as "a punishment from God" and a consequence of sin. As sinning could result from "the work of Satan", forgiveness was possible, and a "reconciliation with God" deemed as essential for a favourable remission of the disease. Several FLs believed that "evil spirits" inflicted through witchcraft could cause the disease and claimed that they could cast "demons" away.While prayers could potentially cure HIV "completely", ART use was generally not discouraged because God had "only a part to play". The perceived potential superiority of spiritual options could however lead some users to interrupt treatment. CONCLUSIONS The roll-out of ART is taking place in a context in which the new drugs are competing with a diversity of existing options. As long as the complementarities of prayers and ART are not clearly and explicitly stated by FLs, spiritual options may be interpreted as a superior alternative and contribute to hampering adherence to ART. In contexts where ambivalent attitudes towards the new drugs prevail, enhancing FLs understanding of ART's strengths and pitfalls is an essential step to engage them as active partners in ART scale-up programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Roura
- Centre for Population Studies, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, 49-51 Bedford Square, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC 1B 3DP, UK
- The TAZAMA Project, NIMR, The Tanzanian National Institute for Medical Research, PO Box 1462, Isamilo, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Ray Nsigaye
- The TAZAMA Project, NIMR, The Tanzanian National Institute for Medical Research, PO Box 1462, Isamilo, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Benjamin Nhandi
- The TAZAMA Project, NIMR, The Tanzanian National Institute for Medical Research, PO Box 1462, Isamilo, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Joyce Wamoyi
- Centre for Population Studies, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, 49-51 Bedford Square, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC 1B 3DP, UK
| | - Joanna Busza
- Centre for Population Studies, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, 49-51 Bedford Square, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC 1B 3DP, UK
| | - Mark Urassa
- The TAZAMA Project, NIMR, The Tanzanian National Institute for Medical Research, PO Box 1462, Isamilo, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Jim Todd
- Centre for Population Studies, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, 49-51 Bedford Square, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC 1B 3DP, UK
| | - Basia Zaba
- Centre for Population Studies, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, 49-51 Bedford Square, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC 1B 3DP, UK
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Ragnarsson A, Townsend L, Ekström AM, Chopra M, Thorson A. The construction of an idealised urban masculinity among men with concurrent sexual partners in a South African township. Glob Health Action 2010; 3. [PMID: 20644656 PMCID: PMC2905206 DOI: 10.3402/gha.v3i0.5092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2010] [Revised: 06/01/2010] [Accepted: 06/24/2010] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The perspectives of heterosexual males who have large sexual networks comprising concurrent sexual partners and who engage in high-risk sexual behaviours are scarcely documented. Yet these perspectives are crucial to understanding the high HIV prevalence in South Africa where domestic violence, sexual assault and rape are alarmingly high, suggesting problematic gender dynamics. Objective To explore the construction of masculinities and men's perceptions of women and their sexual relationships, among men with large sexual networks and concurrent partners. Design This qualitative study was conducted in conjunction with a larger quantitative survey among men at high risk of HIV, using respondent-driven sampling to recruit participants, where long referral chains allowed us to reach far into social networks. Twenty in-depth, open-ended interviews with South African men who had multiple and concurrent sexual partners were conducted. A latent content analysis was used to explore the characteristics and dynamics of social and sexual relationships. Results We found dominant masculine ideals characterised by overt economic power and multiple sexual partners. Reasons for large concurrent sexual networks were the perception that women were too empowered, could not be trusted, and lack of control over women. Existing masculine norms encourage concurrent sexual networks, ignoring the high risk of HIV transmission. Biological explanations and determinism further reinforced strong and negative perceptions of women and female sexuality, which helped polarise men's interpretation of gender constructions. Conclusions Our results highlight the need to address sexuality and gender dynamics among men in growing, informal urban areas where HIV prevalence is strikingly high. Traditional structures that could work as focal entry points should be explored for effective HIV prevention aimed at normative change among hard-to-reach men in high-risk urban and largely informal contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Ragnarsson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Global Health (IHCAR), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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