The Role of Religion, Spirituality and Fasting in Coping with Diabetes among Indian Migrants in Australia: A Qualitative Exploratory Study

Abstract

Australia has a high proportion of migrants, with an increasing migration rate from India. While many factors influence diabetes self-management among Indian migrants, very little is known about the influence of religious beliefs and spirituality. This study explored the religious beliefs of Indian migrants in Australia and the influence of those beliefs on their diabetes self-management.Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 23 Indian migrants. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed. Most participants believed that prayers helped them alleviate stress and improve diabetes management participants also believed that receiving blessings/prayers from religious leaders prevent or cure diseases including diabetes. There were mixed views on beliefs about using insulin obtained from animal sources. Some participants were concerned about the use of animal-based insulin as it was against their religious beliefs and teachings. Some participants believed that religious fasting does not have any impact on their diabetes while others believed that it can be detrimental to their health.Religious beliefs therefore played an important role in how Indian migrants managed their diabetes. Healthcare professionals should consider their patients' religious beliefs during consultations, enlist support, such as religious scholars, to better address people's misconceptions, and identify strategies for effective diabetes management that consider religious beliefs.

Using Fa'afaletui to explore Samoan consumers' experience and interpretation of mental health person‐centred care in Aotearoa, New Zealand

“…Research on spiritual faith to the well‐being of Pacific elders in Hawaii supported these spiritual practices (Ihara & Vakalahi 2011), and how Indian migrants in Australia preferred to fast over their diabetes (Ahmad et al . 2022). It provides holistic wellness of mind, body, and soul (Ihara & Vakalahi 2011).…”

“…Tatalo and self-reflection/meditation through anapogi were tools favoured by indigenous Samoan religion for encouraging mindset on the harmony of holistic well-being (Efi 2009). Research on spiritual faith to the well-being of Pacific elders in Hawaii supported these spiritual practices (Ihara & Vakalahi 2011), and how Indian migrants in Australia preferred to fast over their diabetes (Ahmad et al 2022). It provides holistic wellness of mind, body, and soul (Ihara & 2011).…”

“…In Aotearoa, the prevalence of mental disorder sits 24.4% with Pacific peoples compared to a rate of 19% in the general population (Mental Health Commission 2012; Browne et al . 2006).…”

Spirituality / religiosity of Elderly Front to Health Care: Scope of Review

“…It appears that spirituality/religiousness scholars have been more concerned with the demands of senility (Ahmad, Khan, & Aslani, 2021;Cozier et al, 2018;Kent et al, 2020;Papathanasiou et al, 2020;Stroope et al, 2020;Vitorino et al, 2018) compared with the characteristics of senescence Strabner et al, 2019), mainly with regard to chronic non-communicable diseases (Bekelman et al, 2010;Coulibaly, 2015;Harvey & Silverman, 2007;Lynch et al, 2012;Mesquita, 2018;Pereira, 2012;Rocha, 2011), to positive aging (Hajinejad et al, 2019;Selman et al, 2018 ;Villani et al, 2019) and finitude (Hirakawa et al, 2019;Koper et al, 2019;Maiko, Johns et al, 2019;Riklikienė et al, 2019), discarding the multidimensionality of human aging.…”

The Need for Integration of Religion and Spirituality into the Mental Health Care of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations in Australia: A Rapid Review

“…From 2017 to 2021, more than one million people arrived in Australia, contributing to the 51.5% of residents who were either first or second-generation born overseas (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022a). About 5.5 million people in Australia speak a language other In view of the important role religion/spirituality plays in the mental health of people from CALD backgrounds (Ahmad et al, 2022), religious and spiritual aspects need to be an integral part of their mental health care (Beaini & Shepherd, 2022). There is a lack of policies that address the unique mental health needs of CALD populations (Minas et al, 2013).…”