Controversies in faith and health care

Tomkins, Andrew; Duff, Jean; Fitzgibbon, Atallah; Karam, Azza; Mills, Edward J.; Munnings, Keith; Smith, Sally; Seshadri, Shreelata Rao; Steinberg, Avraham; Vitillo, Robert J.; Yugi, Philemon

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(15)60252-5

Cited by 87 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…There is increasing documentation pointing to a positive effect on treatment outcomes. 27 Policymakers and religious groups strongly influence the delivery and use of health care, but generally work independently. Exploring the two interfaces can improve the supply and use of health care, especially for marginalized populations.…”

Section: Clinical Implications Of This Knowledgementioning

confidence: 99%

Implications for public health of the religiosity-longevity relation

Saad

Medeiros

2017

Rev. Assoc. Med. Bras.

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ImplIcatIons for publIc health of the relIgIosIty-longevIty relatIon rev assoC med bras 2017; 63(10):837-841 837 POINT OF VIEWImplications for public health of the religiosity-longevity relation A growing body of scientific studies has demonstrated a consistently positive association between religious-spiritual (R/S) involvement and beneficial effects on physical health, culminating with increased longevity. This protective effect on the mortality risk is not only statistically significant but also clinically relevant. The mechanisms involved in this association include psycho-neuro-endocrineimmune pathways, greater adherence to healthy behaviors and diverse social factors. Public health strategies could better explore this association. This can be done on an individual (health professionals adopting simple measures) or institutional scale (health institutions joining religious organizations). Some evidence suggests that the benefits of R/S to health and longevity would be more present in populations from more religious regions. In this sense, the Americas (Latin and North) are privileged places for the exploration of this association, compared to regions where there is certain indifference about R/S practices. Exploring this interface can improve the supply and usage of health care, especially for marginalized populations. To achieve this, health professionals, religious leaders and policy makers need to work together.

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Section: Clinical Implications Of This Knowledgementioning

confidence: 99%

Implications for public health of the religiosity-longevity relation

Saad

Medeiros

2017

Rev. Assoc. Med. Bras.

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“…There are well-known controversies and confrontations between the beliefs and perceptions of some faith communities, and some accepted clinical or public health strategies (see Tomkins et al 2015). Faith communities are facing their own challenges that prevent them from developing their full potential to contribute to a healthier and more equal world.…”

Section: Christoph Bennmentioning

confidence: 99%

Guest introduction: faith and health in development contexts

Benn¹

2017

Development in Practice

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“…Currently, there is insufficient information on the degree to which faith-based facilities support method availability, volunteerism and free choice on a range of methods, and how FBOs compare to other FP providers on these issues [17]. The objective of this research is to investigate the provision of FP services by FBOs in three countries, Malawi, Kenya, and Haiti.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Availability of family planning services and quality of counseling by faith-based organizations: a three country comparative analysis

Barden-O’Fallon

2017

Reprod Health

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BackgroundFaith-based organizations (FBOs) have a long history of providing health services in developing countries and are important contributors to healthcare systems. Support for the wellbeing of women, children, and families is evidenced through active participation in the field of family planning (FP). However, there is little quantitative evidence on the availability or quality of FP services by FBOs.MethodsThe descriptive analysis uses facility-level data collected through recent Service Provision Assessments in Malawi (2013–14), Kenya (2010), and Haiti (2012) to examine 11 indicators of FP service and method availability and nine indicators of comprehensive and quality counseling. The indicators include measures of FP service provision, method mix, method stock, the provision of accurate information, and the discussion of reproductive intentions, client’s questions/concerns, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and return visits, among others. Pearson’s Chi-square test is used to assess the selected indicators by managing authority (FBO, public, and other private sector) to determine statistical equivalence.ResultsResults show that FBOs are less likely to offer FP services than other managing authorities (p < 0.05). For example, 69% of FBOs in Kenya offer FP services compared to 97% of public facilities and 83% of other private facilities. Offering long-acting or permanent methods in faith-based facilities is especially low (43% in Malawi, 29% in Kenya and 39% in Haiti). There were few statistically significant differences between the managing authorities in comprehensive and quality counseling indicators. Interestingly, Haitian FBOs often perform as well or better than public sector health facilities on counseling indicators, such as discussion of a return visit (79% of FBO providers vs. 68% of public sector providers) and discussion of client concerns/questions (52% vs. 49%, respectively).ConclusionsResults from this analysis indicate that there is room for improvement in the availability of FP services by FBOs in these countries. Quality of counseling should be improved by all managing authorities in the three countries, as indicated by low overall coverage for practices such as ensuring confidentiality (22% in Malawi, 47% in Kenya and 12% in Haiti), discussion of sexually transmitted infections (18%, 25%, 17%, respectively), and providing services to youth (53%, 27%, 32%, respectively).

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Controversies in faith and health care

Cited by 87 publications

References 26 publications

Implications for public health of the religiosity-longevity relation

Implications for public health of the religiosity-longevity relation

Guest introduction: faith and health in development contexts

Availability of family planning services and quality of counseling by faith-based organizations: a three country comparative analysis

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