Religious Practices and Self-Care in Iranian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationship between religious practices and self-care of patients with type 2 diabetes. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted on 154 diabetic patients who were referred to two general teaching hospitals in Qom City (Iran). Data were collected using demographic questionnaire, private and public religious practices, and summary of diabetes self-care activities questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and statistical tests including independent t test, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Significant positive correlations were observed between religious practices and self-care activities in diabetic patients (p < 0.05). Significant positive correlations were also found between some religious practices and self-care activities subscales (p < 0.05). Healthcare providers should be aware of the role that religion plays in the lives of diabetic patients and be able to take religious factors into account when developing care plans. Doing so will enhance a more patient-centered approach and thereby support patients in their role as self-care decision-makers.

Effectiveness of educational intervention based on psychological factors on achieving health outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes

“…However, such beliefs could sometimes raise hope and strengthen self-care. For example, the results of the study by Heidari et al [47] showed a significantly positive correlation between scores of religious practices and those of self-care activities such as dietary adherence. Therefore, it could be claimed that spirituality and religion could be assumed as important factors affecting disease management in a way that extremes of excess and deficiency in terms of attention to these components in educational interventions to change self-care behaviors could lead to undesirable results.…”

‘Diabetes is a gift from god’ a qualitative study coping with diabetes distress by Indonesian outpatients

“…Several studies outline various strategies to cope with DD for T2DM outpatients, such as spirituality [19], selfmanagement [18] and family and social support [20][21][22][23][24]. Spirituality is a coping mechanism that is used in several countries, such as Iran [25], Georgia [26] and Malaysia [27].…”

On the Role of Spirituality and Religiosity in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Management—A Systematic Review

“…Thus, they may support and empower patients in making correct decisions (Heidari, Rezaei, Sajadi, Ajorpaz, & Koenig, 2017;Rivera-Hernandez, 2016).…”

“…Darvyri et al Williams, 2015). Two of the studies included were cohort studies (Grey et al, 2004), while 11 studies were cross-sectional (Arcury et al, 2007;Newlin et al, 2008;Newlin et al, 2010;How et al, 2011;Lynch et al, 2012;Jafari et al, 2014;Amadi et al, 2015;Rivera-Hernandez, 2016;Berardi et al, 2016;Heidari, Rezaei, Sajadi, Ajorpaz, & Koenig, 2017).…”