Online Journal of Health Ethics 

About: Online Journal of Health Ethics is an academic journal published by University of Southern Mississippi. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Health care & Nursing ethics. It has an ISSN identifier of 1551-4218. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 176 publications have been published receiving 510 citations. The journal is also known as: OJHE.

Health Beliefs of Muslim Women and Implications for Health Care Providers: Exploratory Study on the Health Beliefs of Muslim Women

Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of the study is to determine specific health beliefs important to Muslim women as they relate to participation in medical, psychological or social evaluation and treatment and to determine whether any of their beliefs, attitudes, or perceptions have an effect on the female Muslim patient’s decision to access and follow through with medical evaluation and treatment. Background: Muslim women have special beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions that may directly impact healthcare received within a westernized health care system that may not share the unique sensitivities of the Islamic culture (Bennoune, 2007). Health care providers are able to better advocate for their patients when they have an awareness of the unique cultural beliefs and background of their patients and how to provide a safe and comfortable place for patients to openly participate in health care decision making. It is important to explore the beliefs of practicing Muslim women in order to fully meet the health care needs of this community (Belut and Ebaugh, 2013).Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional qualitative survey design of (n=14/20) Muslim women living in three large cluster groups across the USA. IRB approval was granted prior to recruitment of subjects and data collection.Results: This study suggests that Muslim women (1) prefer to make autonomous health care decisions without the assistance of a male family member, (2) prefer to have a female health care provider, (3) are willing to access medical and rehabilitation services if provided by a female, but not when provided by a male health care provider, (4) believe in the use of prayer, recitation of Quran, fasting, charity to be beneficial to their physical health, and (5) are comfortable with the use of physical touch in medicine and rehabilitation evaluation and treatment, if the provider is female. Conclusion: Suggestions for future research should address specific health care provider outcomes as they pertain to optimal clinical decision making for the Muslim female patient.