Al Ameen Journal of Medical Sciences (Jul 2020)
Cultural beliefs and faith healing practices in patients with psychiatric illness
Abstract
Background: Faith healing has been an accepted mode of treatment in different cultures. The people who conduct these practices are considered as faith healers. Many people still trust faith healing for treatment of mental illness which delays psychiatric care. Despite the modern therapies in the field of mental health, the role of faith healing has had a lasting impact on the society and culture. Objective: To assess the cultural beliefs, faith healing practices and the reason for delay in psychiatry treatment in patients with psychiatric illness who had sought the help of faith healers before visiting a Psychiatrist. Methods: A cross sectional study, purposive sampling was adopted. The study was conducted after obtaining the ethical clearance. A total of 197 patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected. The socio-demographic data was assessed and the tools used for assessing the cultural beliefs and faith healing practices were Questionnaire on Attitude and Scientific Knowledge (ASK), Questionnaire on Cultural and Behavioral Patterns in the family (QCB). Results: In the study it was noted that majority of the study population were aged between 20-40 years, males, Hindu, educated up to Middle school, unmarried, were from urban area, had sought psychiatric treatment at least once before visiting the faith healer. The study showed statistically significant association when the socio-demographic details were compared to various cultural beliefs. Conclusion: Many age old beliefs influence health seeking behaviors of those affected with mental illness. Mental health care should be developed with due consideration of cultural beliefs and faith healing practices. Findings of the present study should call the attention of higher authorities to avoid delay in seeking medical help thereby affecting the prognosis of illness.
