‘Fasting and prayer don't concern the doctors … they don't even know what it is': communication, decision-making and perceived social relations of Pakistani Muslim patients with long-term illnesses

Abstract

Introduction With the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has became a primary health problem among individuals suffering from HIV/AIDS in Puerto Rico, principally those who are injecting drug users (IDUs). A multimedia educational intervention, based on the Health Beliefs Model and Social Cognitive Theory was developed and implemented to reduce HCV associated risk behaviors among IDUs. Methods A pre- and post- intervention study evaluated the knowledge and behavioral changes in a group of HIV-infected persons recruited from February 2006 through December 2008. Results A total of 110 participants were recruited; all were IDUs; 82% were men; 86.3% were HIV/HCV co-infected and 24.5% had active injected drugs in the last month (prior to recruitment). The group mean age was 42.2 ± 9.2 years and mean educational level was 10th grade. Knowledge of HCV risk behaviors, perception of HCV susceptibility, and perception of disease severity increased after the intervention. Knowledge of HCV clinical manifestations and HIV co-infection complications and treatment also improved. In addition, HCV risk behaviors and injecting drug practice decrease significantly among IDUs. Conclusions This new multimedia intervention captured and maintained the participants' attention and interest, in that way facilitating their educational process. Thus, a greater of attention and interest leads to greater knowledge and prevention improvement.

Targeting the Use of Reminders and Notifications for Uptake by Populations (TURNUP): a systematic review and evidence synthesis

“…It is worth noting that one study reported no differences in attendance levels by language competency and has drawn attention to the fact that availability of translator services and advocacy for immigrant communities can help to ensure that there is no disparity in the delivery of services in this respect. 121 Second, higher levels of mistrust and lower degrees of therapeutic alliance or engagement with services have been noted for minority ethnic patients across several studies (see, for example, Mir and Sheikh 185 ).…”

Fasting, Diabetes, and Optimizing Health Outcomes for Ramadan Observers: A Literature Review

“…Culturally insensitive recommendations were ineffective, in that, directing patients peremptorily not to fast did not appear to deflect vulnerable patients from still undertaking the fast [42]. Generally, patients may choose to ignore HCP advice, especially if they feel the HCP is not culturally attuned to their decisions [42, 46, 47]. In the case of Ramadan fasting, where religious beliefs strongly motivate patients to fast, HCPs (physicians and pharmacists) and religious sources, such as imams (Muslim religious priests), may need to collaborate as important sources of knowledge about fasting and medication use for patients.…”

Strong, female and Black: Stereotypes of African Caribbean women’s body shape and their effects on clinical encounters

“…It is, therefore, understandable that healthcare staff make cognitive economies to simplify the complex work of healthcare practice. However, it also perpetuates a service in which healthcare professionals often remain ill-equipped to serve the needs of their ethnically diverse patient populations (Mir and Sheikh, 2010). Aronson et al (2013) explicitly link stereotyping to discrimination, health inequalities and poor health for those who are the targets of stereotypes, often those from minority ethnic groups.…”