The Intersection of Health Beliefs and Religion Among Somali Refugees: A Qualitative Study

Msw, Pamela A. Clarkson Freeman PhD; Penney, Debra S.; Bettmann, Joanna E.; Csw, Natalie Lecy

doi:10.1080/15426432.2013.749141

Cited by 12 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…For many Somali Bantu, their Islamic faith plays a major role in daily life, including health beliefs and practices. Not only are prayers and the Quran incorporated as part of informal health care, but many see health problems, as well as health and wellbeing, as God's will (Carroll et al, 2007;Freeman et al, 2013). Traditional medicine relating to jinn is poorly documented, but familiar among Somali Bantu.…”

Section: Jinn Religion and Traditional Medicinementioning

confidence: 99%

Traditional Medicine and Help-Seeking Behaviors for Health Problems Among Somali Bantu Refugees Resettled in the United States

et al. 2020

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Somali refugees have resettled in the United States in large numbers. The focus of this study was specifically on the Somali Bantu refugees, an ethnic minority group from Somalia. The goal of this study was to understand the following: (a) jinn (invisible beings or forces in Islamic theology) and related health problems resulting from jinn possession affecting Somali Bantu refugees, (b) types of traditional healing practices integrated into help-seeking behavior, and (c) pathways of care utilized to address health problems. In total, 20 participant interviews were conducted with Somali Bantu refugees resettled in the United States. Overall, participants described types of jinn and associated health problems. In addition, participants identified different pathways of care, including formal and informal health care. Participants accessed these pathways both concurrently and sequentially. Somali Bantu utilize complex and varied health care services based on their understanding of the causes of health problems and experiences with care providers.

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Section: Jinn Religion and Traditional Medicinementioning

confidence: 99%

Traditional Medicine and Help-Seeking Behaviors for Health Problems Among Somali Bantu Refugees Resettled in the United States

et al. 2020

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“…A large body of research has emphasized the importance of the belief in God's will and religious prohibitions for health care. Traditional and religious healing through readings from the Quran, eating special foods, and burning incense has been described as a treatment for mental health problems (Carroll, 2004;Clarkson Freeman, Penney, Bettmann, & Lecy, 2013;Palmer, 2006;Pavlish, Noor, & Brandt, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Only God can promise healing.’: help-seeking intentions and lay beliefs about cures for post-traumatic stress disorder among Sub-Saharan African asylum seekers in Germany

Grupp

Moro

Nater

et al. 2019

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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“…In the Somali culture, religion, which is Islam, is seen as a key aspect of life including health and healthcare. 9,10 Maintaining one’s privacy is seen as an important way of respecting religion and the community. For example, modesty in clothing and gender-concordant care are ways of protecting one’s privacy according to the norms of Islam.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some issues might not be shared with healthcare professionals due to cultural differences between the patient and healthcare professional, that is, healthcare professionals’ lack of knowledge of Somali culture and the unmet expectations of Somali patients, which create doubt and mistrust towards the healthcare professionals. 14 Somali women prefer female clinicians for sharing health-related information 9 and for physical examinations, 15,16 although some women have no issues with the gender of the healthcare professional. 6,12 Similar trends are seen in other non-Western Islamic cultures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors related to privacy of Somali refugees in health care

2019

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Background: Privacy is one of the key principles in health care and requires understanding of the cultural aspects of patients’ privacy. In Western cultures privacy is focused on the individual, however, in some non-Western cultures, privacy is linked to the collectivism of the community or religion. Objectives: The objective of this study is to describe the factors related to the realisation of privacy of Somali refugees in health care by describing the factors related to the patient, healthcare professional and interpreter. Research design: The data were collected from Somali refugees (N = 29) using a qualitative questionnaire and were analysed by deductive content analysis based on factors related to the patient, healthcare professional and interpreter. Ethical consideration: Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Turku, and research permissions were obtained from all participating institutions. Findings: Factors related to the patient were as follows: privacy was realised when the patient had self-determination; was able to act according to Somali culture; had knowledge and understanding of treatment; and trusted the healthcare professional. Factors related to the healthcare professional were as follows: the healthcare professional was expected to be of the same gender as the patient, act professionally, focus on the health issues, and to have knowledge and understanding of the Somali culture. Factors related to the interpreter were as follows: the presence and Somali background of the interpreter decreased privacy; the interpreter was expected to be of the same gender as the patient; to have competence and to behave professionally. Discussion: Gender congruence, professionalism and caring attitude and common understanding between the Somali patient and Finnish provider increase the privacy of Somali patients. Conclusion: Somali patients’ privacy can be improved by increasing healthcare professionals’ understanding of Somali culture, acknowledging the importance of gender concordance in relation to healthcare professionals and interpreters, and the effect of the presence of the interpreter on patients’ privacy.

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The Intersection of Health Beliefs and Religion Among Somali Refugees: A Qualitative Study

Cited by 12 publications

References 18 publications

Traditional Medicine and Help-Seeking Behaviors for Health Problems Among Somali Bantu Refugees Resettled in the United States

Traditional Medicine and Help-Seeking Behaviors for Health Problems Among Somali Bantu Refugees Resettled in the United States

‘Only God can promise healing.’: help-seeking intentions and lay beliefs about cures for post-traumatic stress disorder among Sub-Saharan African asylum seekers in Germany

Factors related to privacy of Somali refugees in health care

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