How the believe in the supernatural affects the health and healthcare of people. Alternative forms of medicine related to the believe in the supernatural and how some religious practices of selected religions affect health.
3. PRESENTATION BY GROUP 3
Agbagba Cephas 2015PA1010002
Bashiru Lukman 2015PA1010009
Odum Solomon 2015NU1010011
Honu Perfect 2015PA1010010
4. OBJECTIVES
Definition of related terms.
pathways in which religion influence health.
Major religions and their roles in healthcare;
Christianity
Islam
Traditional and Alternative medicine
General recommendations.
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5. “We are not human beings having a
spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human
experience.”
-Teilhard de Chardin
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6. DEFINITION OF TERMS
Religion – believes and practices associated with the supernatural.
Supernatural – attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding
or the laws of nature.
Spirituality - involves relationships with a higher being, with self, and with
the world around the individual.. Spirituality implies living with moral
standards.
Atheism – the theory or belief that God does not exist.
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7. DEFINITION OF TERMS
Health - "a state of complete physical, mental, and social
well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
(WHO, 1948)
Healthcare - the maintenance or improvement of health via the
diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury,
and other physical and mental impairments in human beings.
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8. RELIGION
Religion is an organized and public belief system of worship and
practices that generally has a focus on a god or supernatural power.
It generally offers an arrangement of symbols and rituals that are
meaningful and understood by it’s followers.
“Religion is primarily a set of beliefs, a collection of prayers, or
rituals. Religion is first and foremost a way of seeing. It can’t change
the facts about the world we live in, but it can change the ways we see
those facts, and that in itself can often make a difference.” (Harold
Kushner)11/17/2016 8
9. THE INFLUENCE OF SPIRITUALITY/RELIGION ON
HEALTH
There are four prominent pathways in which religion influence health:
1. health behaviours (through prescribing a certain diet and/or
discouraging the abuse of alcoholic beverages, smoking, etc.
religion can protect and promote a healthy lifestyle),
2. social support (people can experience social contact with co-
religionists and have a web of social relations that can help and
protect whenever the case),
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10. THE INFLUENCE OF SPIRITUALITY/RELIGION ON
HEALTH
3. psychological states (religious people can experience a better
mental health, more positive psychological states, more optimism and
faith, which in turn can lead to a better physical state due to less stress)
and
4.‘psi’ influences (supernatural laws that govern ‘energies’ not currently
comprehended by science but possibly understandable at some point
by science).
Because spirituality/religion influences health through these pathways,
they act in an indirect way on health (Oman & Thorensen, 2002).11/17/2016 10
11. MAJOR RELIGIONS
Traditional religion - Generally, these traditions are oral rather than
scriptural, include belief in a supreme creator, belief in spirits,
veneration of the dead, use of magic, and traditional medicine.
Christianity religion- is a monotheistic religion based on the life and
teachings of Jesus Christ. It is the world's largest religion, with over
2.4 billion followers, or 33% of the global population, known as
Christians.
Islamic religion - is a Abrahamic monotheistic religion that upholds
that God is one and incomparable and that the purpose of existence
is to worship God. Muslims consider Muhammad to be the last
prophet of God. ... Most Muslims are of one of two denominations:
Sunni (75–90%) or Shia (10–20%).
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12. IMPACTS OF CHRISTIANITY RELIGION ON HEALTHCARE
Although the doctrines of Christian churches vary greatly both within and
between countries, there are general features of Christianity that are
nearly universal.
A Christian’s individual faith and religious practice will be influenced by
the tradition of the church to which they belong as well as their own
personal relationship with God.
A Catholic patient will probably wish to be visited by a Catholic Priest and
to receive Holy Communion and the “Sacrament of the Sick”.
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13. IMPACTS OF CHRISTIANITY RELIGION ON HEALTHCARE
Others will prefer to fast and pray or visit prayer camps for divine response when
they are ill rather than relying on hospital medications.
Some individuals also fast beyond their capabilities depriving their bodies of food for
long periods which can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and nutrient
deficiencies.
Blood Transfusion is normally acceptable for adults, but parents usually consent to
transfusion for their child if doctors consider it essential and organ transplantation is
not normally acceptable for adults to donate or receive organs.
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14. JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
Jehovah’s Witnesses try to live their lives according to the commands
of God as written in the Old and New Testaments. They regard Jesus
Christ as the Son of God, but not in the sense of being equal with God
or one with God.
Diet – Food containing blood or blood products is not acceptable.
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not smoke.
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15. JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
Blood Transfusions – Jehovah’s Witnesses have religious views that
taking blood into one’s body is morally wrong and is therefore
prohibited.
This includes whole blood or its components, such as packed red
cells, plasma, white cells and platelets.
Jehovah’s Witnesses can choose whether to accept products such as
albumin, immunoglobins or clotting factors.
Blood samples may be taken for pathological testing providing any
unused blood is disposed of.
Dialysis is usually accepted.
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16. JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
Organ Transplantation – this is generally not permitted.
Components where blood is not involved, e.g. corneas, are more likely to be
acceptable.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are not likely to be willing either to donate or receive
an organ through which blood flows.
They will want reassurance that blood will not be used against their wishes.
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17. IMPACTS OF ISLAMIC RELIGION ON HEALTHCARE
Hygiene/Cleanliness - Great importance is attached to
cleanliness. (wash his/her face hands and feet before prayers,
patients prefer to wash in free flowing water)
Method of prayer is a great form of exercise.
Modesty - in their dress and outlook. A female may
request that she is examined by a female doctor or nurse,
or that her husband or a female companion be present
during a medical examination.
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18. IMPACTS OF ISLAMIC RELIGION ON HEALTHCARE
Diet
Both pork and alcohol are forbidden in all forms, all year round.
During the month of Ramadan according to the Muslim calendar all
Muslims fast by not eating or drinking from dawn to sunset, but ill
patients are exempted from this.
The taking of medication during a fasting day may cause difficulties
to the patient, no undue pressure should be applied. This could be
discussed with the patient and family.
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19. IMPACTS OF ISLAMIC RELIGION ON HEALTHCARE
Easy spread of
infections
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20. IMPACTS OF ISLAMIC RELIGION ON HEALTHCARE
Dress/ jewelry -A locket containing religious writing is sometimes
worn around the neck in a small leather bag. These are kept for
protection and strength and therefore should never be removed,
thereby interfering with some surgical procedures.
Family Planning – Strictly speaking orthodox Muslims do not approve
of contraception, in practice, individuals vary widely in their approach.
Abortion is frowned upon, but is often tolerated if it is for medical
reasons.
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21. IMPACTS OF TRADITIONAL RELIGION ON HEALTHCARE
Natural occurrences are said to have supernatural implications
When an African gets sick, a lack of trained doctors or medicine leads
many to traditional practices, especially spiritual cures, some using
religion, and appeals to ancestors.
Western medicine attributes disease in part to germs according to
Professor Samuel Danquah a psychologist at the University of Ghana. By
contrast, he says both good and bad health can have some spiritual
implications for the African.
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22. IMPACTS OF TRADITIONAL RELIGION ON HEALTHCARE
“When x-rays and laboratory tests are not conclusive, the African is
left in a state of doubt, and solutions are sought from outside
sources. If orthodox medicine doesn’t work and the African uses his
belief system, that he has sinned against God, in which case he will
use a priest," explains Professor Danquah.
"If he has sinned against the lesser gods, he consults spirits and
shrines. If he believes the cause to be witchcraft, he also sees the
shrine."
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23. IMPACTS OF TRADITIONAL RELIGION ON HEALTHCARE
Traditional priests may either prescribe herbal treatments or certain rituals.
“Even to go and pluck the leaves, the priest has to say many incantations,
without which the herbs may not work. And before they do that, they ask
[the sick person] to slaughter a goat [as a sacrifice] before the leaves can
work,” says Professor Danquah.
He says people will pay for the priest to invoke the spirit behind the
treatment. This reinforces the African belief in the supernatural and makes
the treatment more acceptable.
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24. ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES
any of a range of medical therapies that are not regarded as orthodox by the medical profession,
such as herbalism, naturopathy, and acupuncture.
are practices claimed to have the healing effects of medicine but are disproven, unproven,
impossible to prove, and are not part of medicine or science-based healthcare systems.
Alternative medicine consists of a wide range of health care practices, products, and therapies
that are diverse in their foundations and methodologies.
Alternative medicine practices may be classified by their cultural origins or by the types of beliefs
upon which they are based
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25. Unscientific belief systems
Naturopathy - Naturopathic medicine is
based on a belief that the body heals itself
using a supernatural vital energy that
guides bodily processes.
Homeopathy - A belief that a substance
that causes the symptoms of a disease in
healthy people cures similar symptoms in
sick people.
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26. Traditional ethnic systems
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Traditional practices and beliefs from China,
together with modifications made by the
Communist party make up TCM. Common
practices include
herbal medicine,
acupuncture (insertion of needles in the
body at specified points),
massage (Tui na),
exercise (qigong), and dietary therapy.
• Traditional Chinese medicine
27. Traditional ethnic systems
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• believes in the existence of three elemental substances, the
doshas (called Vata, Pitta and Kapha), and states that a balance
of the doshas results in health, while imbalance results in disease.
• Such disease-inducing imbalances can be adjusted and balanced
using traditional herbs, minerals and heavy metals.
• Ayurveda stresses the use of plant-based medicines and
treatments, with some animal products, and added minerals,
including sulfur, arsenic, lead, copper sulfate.
Ayurveda - Traditional medicine of India
28. Religion, faith healing, and prayer
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There is a divine or spiritual intervention in
healing.
• Christian faith healing
A practitioner can reach an altered states of
consciousness in order to encounter and
interact with the spirit world or channel
supernatural energies in the belief that they
can heal.
• Shamanism
29. Supernatural energies
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Spinal manipulation aims to treat "vertebral
subluxations" which are claimed to put
pressure on nerves.
Practitioners place their palms on the patient near
Chakras that they believe are centers of
supernatural energies in the belief that these
supernatural energies can transfer from the
practitioner's palms to heal the patient.
• Chiropractic
• Reiki
31. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS IN PRACTICE
Consider spirituality as a potentially important component of every patient’s
physical well-being and mental health.
Address spirituality in your initial assessment; continue addressing it at follow-up
visits if appropriate. In patient care, spirituality is an ongoing issue.
Respect patient’s privacy regarding spiritual beliefs; don’t impose your beliefs on
others.
Make referrals to chaplains, spiritual directors, or community resources as
appropriate
• Awareness of your own spirituality will not only help you personally, but will also
overflow in your encounters with those for whom you care.
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32. REFERENCES
Akpenpuun, Joyce Rumun (2O14). Influence Of Religious Beliefs On Healthcare
Practice in International Journal of Education and Researh:Vol. 2 No. 4. Faculty of
Social Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
Traditional believes play major roles in health. http://www.voanews.com/a/ghana-
traditional-health-care-voa-80288697/416798.html. Retrieved on 9th November,
2016
Alternative medicine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_medicine. Retrieved
on 9th November, 2016
11/17/2016 32
Diet Both pork and alcohol are forbidden in all forms, all year round. “Hallal” meal is required, otherwise Kosher or seafood and vegetarian meal. During the month of Ramadan according to the Muslim calendar all Muslims fast by not eating or drinking from dawn to sunset, but ill patients are exempted from this. Food should be made available for any fasting patient before dawn and after sunset. The taking of medication during a fasting day may cause difficulties to the patient, no undue pressure should be applied. This could be discussed with the patient and family.
Hygiene/Cleanliness – Hands, feet and mouth are always washed before prayer. Hand washing is considered essential before eating. Water for washing is needed in the same room as the WC itself, i.e. patients should be provided with bowls/ jugs of water/bidet etc.? If a bedpan has to be used, bowls/jugs of water should also be provided. Patients prefer to wash in free flowing water, e.g. a shower, as baths are considered unhygienic. If a shower is unavailable, ask the patient if they would like to use a jug in the bath.
Modesty – Women prefer to be treated by female staff where appropriate.
Dress/Jewellery – A locket containing religious writing is sometimes worn around the neck in a small leather bag. These are kept for protection and strength and therefore should never be removed.
Family Planning – Strictly speaking orthodox Muslims do not approve of contraception, in practice, individuals vary widely in their approach. Abortion is frowned upon, but is often tolerated if it is for medical reasons.
Diet Both pork and alcohol are forbidden in all forms, all year round. “Hallal” meal is required, otherwise Kosher or seafood and vegetarian meal. During the month of Ramadan according to the Muslim calendar all Muslims fast by not eating or drinking from dawn to sunset, but ill patients are exempted from this. Food should be made available for any fasting patient before dawn and after sunset. The taking of medication during a fasting day may cause difficulties to the patient, no undue pressure should be applied. This could be discussed with the patient and family.
Hygiene/Cleanliness – Hands, feet and mouth are always washed before prayer. Hand washing is considered essential before eating. Water for washing is needed in the same room as the WC itself, i.e. patients should be provided with bowls/ jugs of water/bidet etc.? If a bedpan has to be used, bowls/jugs of water should also be provided. Patients prefer to wash in free flowing water, e.g. a shower, as baths are considered unhygienic. If a shower is unavailable, ask the patient if they would like to use a jug in the bath.
Modesty – Women prefer to be treated by female staff where appropriate.
Dress/Jewellery – A locket containing religious writing is sometimes worn around the neck in a small leather bag. These are kept for protection and strength and therefore should never be removed.
Family Planning – Strictly speaking orthodox Muslims do not approve of contraception, in practice, individuals vary widely in their approach. Abortion is frowned upon, but is often tolerated if it is for medical reasons.
Diet Both pork and alcohol are forbidden in all forms, all year round. “Hallal” meal is required, otherwise Kosher or seafood and vegetarian meal. During the month of Ramadan according to the Muslim calendar all Muslims fast by not eating or drinking from dawn to sunset, but ill patients are exempted from this. Food should be made available for any fasting patient before dawn and after sunset. The taking of medication during a fasting day may cause difficulties to the patient, no undue pressure should be applied. This could be discussed with the patient and family.
Hygiene/Cleanliness – Hands, feet and mouth are always washed before prayer. Hand washing is considered essential before eating. Water for washing is needed in the same room as the WC itself, i.e. patients should be provided with bowls/ jugs of water/bidet etc.? If a bedpan has to be used, bowls/jugs of water should also be provided. Patients prefer to wash in free flowing water, e.g. a shower, as baths are considered unhygienic. If a shower is unavailable, ask the patient if they would like to use a jug in the bath.
Modesty – Women prefer to be treated by female staff where appropriate.
Dress/Jewellery – A locket containing religious writing is sometimes worn around the neck in a small leather bag. These are kept for protection and strength and therefore should never be removed.
Family Planning – Strictly speaking orthodox Muslims do not approve of contraception, in practice, individuals vary widely in their approach. Abortion is frowned upon, but is often tolerated if it is for medical reasons.