Dermatological considerations and culturally sensitive recommendations for women who wear the hijab

Rehman, Rafey; Haque, Mahfujul Z.; Ceresnie, Marissa; Hamzavi, Iltefat; Fahs, Fatima; Mohammad, Tasneem F.

doi:10.1111/bjd.21795

Cited by 8 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Existing studies emphasize Muslim patients' preference for physician-patient gender concordance, medication adjustment while fasting, and halal medication ingredients. 9,11,22,[41][42][43][44] This is in line with participants' desire for clearer medication labeling, especially since it has become a legal requirement in Europe (Table 4). 45 Our study, however, is unique because it captures the nuances of Islam's effects on Muslim patients' health-seeking behaviors in dermatology, and these beliefs and behaviors were on a spectrum.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

“…Prior to this study, recommendations for culturally informed care for Muslim patients in dermatology were limited to commentaries. 9,11,22 Our study qualitatively explores Muslim patients' perceptions of their dermatology care. We describe the ongoing impact of experiences of Islamophobia, colorism, and cultural stigma on the dermatologist-Muslim patient relationship and the unique needs of Muslim patients in dermatology.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Prior to this study, recommendations for culturally informed care for Muslim patients in dermatology were limited to commentaries . Our study qualitatively explores Muslim patients’ perceptions of their dermatology care.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This study found that religious practices and beliefs impact dermatology care for Muslim patients. Existing studies emphasize Muslim patients’ preference for physician-patient gender concordance, medication adjustment while fasting, and halal medication ingredients . This is in line with participants’ desire for clearer medication labeling, especially since it has become a legal requirement in Europe (Table 4).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Perceptions of US-Based Muslim Patients of Their Dermatology Care

El-Banna,

Rezaei,

Chang

et al. 2024

JAMA Dermatol

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ImportanceCultural humility training is of growing interest, yet the religious and cultural accommodations of Muslim patients in dermatology have not been studied.ObjectiveTo explore the perceptions of Muslim patients of their dermatology care.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis qualitative mixed-methods study, consisting of surveys and semistructured interviews, recruited participants from 2 clinical sites within a large academic health care system in California. Participants were adult, English-speaking, Muslim patients who were evaluated at least once by a medical or surgical dermatologist between January 2022 and January 2023.Main Outcomes and MeasuresA survey obtained the following data: demographics, religious practices pertinent to dermatology care, and experiences of bias outside and inside the dermatology clinic. Semistructured interviews covered topics related to positive and negative experiences in the dermatology clinic, accommodation of cultural and religious needs in dermatology, and future interventions.ResultsA total of 21 patients (mean [SD] age, 36.4 [11.6] years; range, 26-71 years) participated in the study: 5 male individuals (24%) and 16 female individuals (76%), including 10 female individuals who wore hijab. Eleven participants identified as Middle Eastern (52%), 8 as South Asian (38%), 1 as North African (5%), and 1 as Pacific Islander (5%). Survey results showed variations in the impact of Islamic practices on dermatology care. Interviews showed that Muslim participants did not perceive dermatology care as a priority and expressed interest in community events focused on general dermatology education. They also experienced stigmatization of their skin disease and cosmetic care. Prior experiences with Islamophobia and colorism hindered the Muslim patient–dermatologist relationship and disclosure of the need for accommodations. There were instances when participants experienced bias and poor cultural humility from dermatologists. Finally, Muslim participants had unique religious and cultural needs pertinent to their care, including clinician gender concordance, medication timing adjustment while fasting, and halal medication ingredients.Conclusions and RelevanceThis qualitative mixed-methods study explored the experiences of Muslim patients in dermatology in the US. Recommendations supported by this study include incorporating religion into cultural humility training, increasing diversity in the dermatology workforce, implementing policies for clearer medication labeling, supporting dermatology research in subpopulations of Muslim individuals in the US, and partnering with community organizations for dermatology education.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Perceptions of US-Based Muslim Patients of Their Dermatology Care

El-Banna,

Rezaei,

Chang

et al. 2024

JAMA Dermatol

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“…In the context of dermatological care, understanding the religious significance and practices associated with the taqiyah and imamah, worn by many Muslim men, is paramount. These religious garments, while serving as a marker of religious identity, can also play a role in the dermatological health of wearers, impacting the conditions of the scalp and skin underneath [ 4 ]. The taqiyah, a rounded skullcap, and the imamah, a turban-like cloth, are not just mere adornments but have deeply ingrained significance in Islamic culture, reflecting the wearer's faith, devotion, and sometimes regional identity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dermatological Implications of the Taqiyah and Imamah: Recommendations for Delivering Culturally Conscious Care

Irfan,

Yaqoob

2023

Cureus

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Background and objective The growing cultural and religious diversity in healthcare settings necessitates clinicians to integrate cultural competence and sensitivity into their practice. Despite significant research focusing on the hijab worn by Muslim women, there is a gap in understanding the dermatological implications of the taqiyah and imamah, worn by Muslim men. In light of this, this study aimed to offer insights into delivering culturally conscious dermatological care for Muslim men wearing these garments, thereby bridging a crucial knowledge gap. Materials and methods The study employed a comprehensive research strategy that encompassed both medical literature and foundational Islamic texts. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were used for medical literature searches, while al-Maktabah al-Shamela and Sunnah.com , along with Quranic and Hadith translations were consulted for religious insights. A thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns, challenges, and unique points, ensuring a holistic understanding of the subject. Results Our findings revealed that wearing a taqiyah or imamah has both beneficial and detrimental dermatological effects, depending on factors such as climate, fabric, and hygiene practices. While the garments are rooted in Islamic tradition, their use varies based on cultural context rather than strict religious guidelines. Moreover, gender dynamics and the concept of privacy ('awrah) within Islamic teachings have implications for healthcare interactions. The study offers practical guidelines for dermatological care tailored to Muslim men wearing a taqiyah or imamah. It emphasizes the importance of material choice, hygiene practices, and the willingness of many Muslim men to be accommodating in medical settings, albeit with some reservations. The paper also discusses the role of telemedicine in culturally sensitive healthcare delivery, recommending measures such as secure communication channels and self-imaging options. Conclusion The paper provides comprehensive recommendations aimed at delivering culturally and religiously sensitive dermatological care to Muslim men wearing a taqiyah or imamah. By integrating both medical best practices and a nuanced understanding of Islamic customs, healthcare providers can foster a more trusting and effective care relationship, thereby improving patient satisfaction and dermatological outcomes.

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The development of non-scarring alopecia in women who wear the hijab

Ceresnie,

Mohney,

Seale

et al. 2023

Arch Dermatol Res

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Little is known about hair loss associated with wearing the hijab, a religious head covering worn by Muslim women. We performed a single-center analysis to investigate the association between various forms of non-scarring alopecia and wearing the hijab. This study included 125 patients who wore the hijab and 40 race/ethnicity-matched women who did not wear the hijab. Among the 165 total patients diagnosed between January 2015 and March 2022, 71 had telogen e uvium, 78 had female pattern hair loss, and 16 had traction alopecia. We found patients who wore the hijab had a younger mean age of alopecia onset than patients who did not wear the hijab (31.5 vs. 37.3 years; P = 0.02). Our study suggests that vitamin D de ciency (OR 4.1; 95% CI 1.2-14.1; P = 0.02) and seborrheic dermatitis (OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.1-8.1; P = 0.03) may signi cantly impact the development of telogen e uvium in patients who wear the hijab. Targeting these risk factors among patients who wear the hijab may be considered to prevent hair loss.

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Dermatological considerations and culturally sensitive recommendations for women who wear the hijab

Cited by 8 publications

References 3 publications

Perceptions of US-Based Muslim Patients of Their Dermatology Care

Perceptions of US-Based Muslim Patients of Their Dermatology Care

Dermatological Implications of the Taqiyah and Imamah: Recommendations for Delivering Culturally Conscious Care

The development of non-scarring alopecia in women who wear the hijab

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