The role of imams and mosques in health promotion in Western societies—a systematic review protocol

Abstract

BackgroundMuslims comprise 4.8% of the national population in the UK and also form a significant proportion of its ethnic minority population, with trends set to continue for the foreseeable future. With ethnic minority health inequalities deepening further, there is an apparent lack of strategies to effectively tackle this growing problem. Imams, Muslim religious leaders, represent a hitherto under-investigated group who may have the capacity to facilitate positive health change within Muslim communities. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the role of imams and mosques in health promotion in Muslim communities residing in Western societies.MethodWe will undertake a systematic literature review of PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) Register, NICE Evidence and Google Scholar. Eligible studies will primarily assess the role of imams and mosques in health promotion in Western societies. Secondary objectives include the identification of how mosque-based and imam-supported interventions were organised and delivered, and to explore which, if any, subgroups within the Western Muslim communities are more responsive to such interventions. Two independent reviewers will screen references from the electronic literature searches for eligible studies. The following data will be extracted to populate a tabulated form: study design, location of study, time of study, participant demographics, description of intervention, outcome measures of individual study, analysis methods, religious content (imams, mosques, religious denomination), outcomes and conclusions of study. Two investigators will independently assess the methodological quality of included studies. A narrative synthesis approach will be employed to analyse the extracted data in order to explore the role of imams and mosques in health promotion in Western settings.DiscussionThis systematic review will elucidate the role and effectiveness of imams and mosques in health promotion in Western societies. If the use of imams and mosques is shown to be effective, this will encourage further research in Western Muslim communities that effectively utilise imams and mosques as part of novel strategies and interventions for health promotion in this group. The review will also aid policy makers in Western societies with a view to tackling and potentially reversing the problem of increasing ethnic minority health inequality.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO (CRD42015020166)

Graphic warnings and text warning labels on cigarette packages in Riyadh Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Awareness and perceptions

“…They play an important role in communal decision-making and act as the gatekeepers for many social and cultural issues. [ 30 ] Almost all of the imams in our study did not advocate for the use of any of the graphic warning labels they were shown from other countries due to religious or cultural factors. This finding emphasizes the importance of maintaining ethnically and culturally appropriate warning labels to ensure their effectiveness in this community.…”

A scoping review and systematic mapping of health promotion interventions associated with obesity in Islamic religious settings in the UK

“…Indeed, Jepson and colleagues found that role models were seen by South Asians living in Scotland as important for inspiring and motivating people to undertake physical activity interventions that they may otherwise lack confidence in. Findings from an ongoing systematic review conducted by Mustafa and colleagues, which aims to elucidate the role and effectiveness of imams and mosques in health promotion in Western societies, may highlight more insights for intervening in these settings.…”

“…Findings from an ongoing systematic review conducted by Mustafa and colleagues, 43 which aims to elucidate the role and effectiveness of imams and mosques in health promotion in Western societies, may highlight more insights for intervening in these settings.…”

“…Eight projects (35,39,42,43,46,48,49, 50) ran one or more weekly sessions, and these focused on physical activity and exercise; it was unclear for how many weeks these ran and some projects appeared to be ongoing (at the point of writing this manuscript). Three of these eight projects ran sessions to coincide with prayer attendance at the mosque or madrassa.…”

Formative Evaluation of a Pilot Study of a University Exercise Class for Female Muslims

“…Indeed Suminski and Petosa [29] found high percentages of ethnic minority university students to be in precontemplative or contemplative stages of change for exercise. Movement to preparation and action stages relative to initiating and maintaining participation in programs such as SET may be assisted by support from significant others such as parents and friends [30] and potentially from clergy such as an imam [31]. Classes offered in conjunction with a pre-established student group's (e.g., MSA) religious gatherings or social functions-if setting logistics are culturally amenable-may also prove acceptable.…”