Religion and non-marital fertility: A qualitative study of the perspectives and experiences of South African Muslim women

In light of the rising number of children born outside of formal marriage, there is increasing concern about the well-being of these mothers and children, especially since they mostly come from disadvantaged populations. This study aims to determine the role religion plays in the experience of non­marital fertility. This study draws on data from ten in-depth interviews with women in Durban, South Africa. The study found that women did not anticipate the negative impact of non­marital fertility prior to experiencing their first birth. The main reason contributing to the experience of non­marital fertility was the lack of sex education.Many women believed that Islam allowed only married women to use contraceptives because unmarried women are expected to practice celibacy and their religion advocates for a two-parent household. As a result, unmarried women with children found themselves often ostracised from their community. The study recommends a comprehensive sexual education regime to address the challenges associated with non-marital fertility. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[7]: 49-58).

Uptake of health insurance among Muslims in Nairobi county, Kenya

Introduction: in Kenya and the world across, health insurance has been reckoned as an important health policy that serves to protect households from the direct financial consequences of health care and meet the Sustainable Development Goal of Universal Health Coverage and Poverty Eradication. However, health insurance uptake has remained to be a major challenge for universal health care coverage especially among Kenyan Muslims who have conflicting religious faith towards conventional health insurance. This study had two main objectives: (1) to determine level of uptake of health insurance among Muslims and (2) to examine the role of religion in health insurance uptake among Muslims.Methods: the study adopted a cross-sectional study design. Post-stratified sampling was used to select 389 respondents who participated in the survey questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation and Test of independence (Chi-square) were used to analyze quantitative data using SPSS Version 20.Results: findings revealed that only 86(22%) of Muslims were enrolled in a health insurance scheme. Among the 86 Muslims who had an insurance cover, Majority were enrolled in National Health Insurance Fund (65,70.6%) while 21(29.4%) were enrolled in private health insurance schemes. Among the 303 Muslims who had no insurance cover, 285 (94.1%)preferred being enrolled in Takaful Health insurance which is Shariah Compliant. Religion played a significant role on choice and enrollment of Muslims to health insurance schemes. Religious beliefs and Shariah teachings had a statistically significant relationship with uptake of health insurance (p < 0.05).Conclusion: uptake of health insurance among Muslims is low despite the growing population of Muslims in Kenya partly due to Muslims strong religious belief and Shariah laws, which prohibits them from enrolling into conventional insurance hence limiting freedom of individual decisions on the insurance schemes to enroll in. Despite high demand for health insurance products among Muslims, there lacks health insurances products aligned to the religious beliefs and needs of Muslim hence exposing them to hefty medical bills which deepens poverty and inaccessibility to basic health care

Exploring the role of Islam in perceptions of mental illness in a sample of muslim psychiatrists based in Johannesburg

Background. Western definitions of; and approaches to; mental illness have been critiqued for their lack of incorporation of cultural and spiritual elements. Objective. To explore perceptions of mental illness; particularly in terms of the role of Islam in the understanding of mental illness among South African Muslim psychiatrists practising in Johannesburg. Methods. Using a qualitative design; semi-structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 7 Muslim psychiatrists in the Johannesburg area. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the transcribed data. Results. Psychiatrists subscribe to a more biomedical model of illness. The findings of this study also suggest that psychiatrists attempt to remain objective and to refrain from imposing their religious and cultural beliefs on their patients. However; their conceptualisation of mental illness is influenced by their religion and culture. Furthermore; all participating psychiatrists indicated that they always draw on Islamic values when treating their patients. Issues of cultural competence were also highlighted. Psychiatrists indicated that they were open to collaboration with traditional healers and psychologists but that this was quite challenging.Conclusion. The necessity for formal bodies to develop routes for collaboration between healthcare professionals and traditional healers was brought to the fore. So; too; was the need to incorporate indigenous theory and knowledge into mainstream definitions and approaches to mental illness

Reproductive health issues and incidence of some reproductive tract infections among muslim women in Purdah in Jos-Nigeria

Candidiasis and Trichomoniasis are the commonest Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs) amongst women in purdah in the capital city of Jos- Nigeria. Majority of these women (68) have primary education as the highest educational qualification and majority of them (92) are full time house wives. The study has also revealed that there is a high level (57) delay in seeking for reproductive health needs ; which were only remedied due to persistence of symptoms. This gives us the inference as to the myriad of sequalae that might have resulted in cases of asymptomatic RTIs. The most reproductive health needs of women in purdah are inadequate facilities in clinics/hospitals. This factor as well as other factors such as poor education; unilateral decision making by some men in purdah in matters of reproductive needs; misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the Qu'ran have immensely contributed to the increasing cases of RTIs among these women. These problems can be reduced to the minimum by educating both the men and the women in purdah with the best medium being the radio/television programs

Care for People with Diabetes during Haj

Haj is one of the five cardinal components of Islam commonly known as the five pillars of Islam. Approximately two million Muslims perform it each year. Haj involves travel to the holy sites in and around Mecca and Medina during a specified short period of time in a limited space; not usually inhabited by such a large number of people. This article deals with the effects of this event on diabetes and its management. The importance of this arises from the fact during Haj; the person's life routine changes as he travels to a different place of his own for a period of 4-6 weeks where geography; weather; diet; and habits are different. During Haj most people live what is effectively a very basic life in very crowded places. Therefore; medical conditions; such as diabetes; whose management depends on a stable routine; would predictably be affected significantly. People with diabetes should have enough time to consider a management plan for their diabetes. The objectives are to achieve a good control and avoid any complications that may be particularly associated with the conditions faced during Haj

Compassion or Condemnation? South African Muslim Students' Attitudes to People with HIVetAIDS

Given the dearth of literature on the influence of religiosity on attitudes toward people with HIV/AIDS; the present study surveyed these variables in a sample of South African Muslim university students using the Religious Orientation Scale (ROS) and an attitude to people with HIV scale. Gender differences in attitudes towards people with HIV were also examined. The sample comprised 90 male and female undergraduate and postgraduate Muslim students. While both males and females displayed high religiosity scores; male students were found to be significantly more religious than female students. No gender differences were found on the attitude to people with HIV scale; with students indicating positive attitudes to people with HIV. Higher religiosity was significantly correlated with a more positive attitude to people with HIV. The implications of the findings are discussed

Islam et Sida : guide

"Ce guide est le fruit du 1er colloque de Dakar sur ""Sida et Religion"". ll contient des communications des differents participants parmi lesquels les principaux imams du Senegal. Le document bilingue (francais; anglais) donne la position de l'islam vis a vis du VIH/Sida."