Belief in charity giving [Sadqa] and its role in healing: results of a survey conducted at a teaching hospital in Karachi, Pakistan

To study patients' belief and practice about Sadqa [charity] and its role in recovery from illness and restoration of health. This study will determine whether such belief and practice is related to any demographic factors such as sex, education, and religious sects. A questionnaire was designed that included the demographic profile of patients and questions in accordance to the study objective. It was administered to 400 patients or their attendants against the calculated sample size of 385. There were very few refusals to participate with response rate of around 98%. The study objective was explained to all participants, written consent was obtained and full confidentiality was assured. The mean age of the study population was 34.33 years, majority of the patients were males with 65.6% having grade XII or higher education. The practice of giving sadqa/charity for healing was significantly associated with females [p<0.001]; Ismaili sect [p=0.017]; educational level of grade V [p=0.03]; graduate [p=0.041]; being housewives [p<0.001], students [p=0.048] and employees in private services [p<0.001]. Approximately 85% of the study population gave sadqa/charity for healing diseases and 84.8% believed that sadqa/charity heals diseases. According to 97.5% of the participants, medical treatment should be combined along with sadqa/charity for healing. This study highlights the importance of the patients' attachment to charity giving and expectation that it will lead to recovery from illness. Future research in this area should be qualitative rather than quantitative to explore more about beliefs, attitude and behavior of the individuals. It is recommended that health care professionals should consider and also respect patients' and relatives beliefs about sadqa and charity; clashing with their beliefs during provision of medial care should be avoided

Belief in prayersand its role in healing among family practice patients visiting ateaching hospital in Karachi, Pakistan

To document the practice and belief in offering prayers to have a favorable impact on healing among family practice patients at a teaching hospital in Karachi. This study was conducted at Community Health Centre, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan in July 2008. A questionnaire was designed that included the demographic profile of patients comprising age, sex, marital status, religion, religious sect, ethnic group, education and occupation as well as questions in accordance with the study objective. It was administered to 400 patients visiting outpatient department of the hospital against calculated sample size of 385. Participants were explained the study objective, a written consent was taken and full confidentiality was assured. The mean age of the study population was 34.33 years, majority of the patients were males [65%] with 65.6% having grade XII or more education. The majority of subjects was Urdu-speaking [76.5%] and belonged to Sunni sect [81.3%]. The practice of offering prayers for healing was found statistically significant with Sindhi, Katchi, Haro and Kashmiri groups [p-value=<0.001 each]; religious sects of Sunni [p-value=0.002] and Ismaili [p-value=<0.001] and with students [p-value=0.005]. The number of "Shia" sect participants was small but they all had offered prayers for healing. This practice was not found statistically significant with gender, marital status and education. Prayers for healing is practiced by 96.5% of the participants and 95.8% believe that it does cause healing. Almost ninety three percent of participants believe that religion gives us the concept of healing through prayers. According to 97.5% of the participants medical treatment should be combined along with prayers for healing. Prayer, its practice and belief in having a favorable impact on healing and recovery from illness is widespread among family practice patients. Modern day clinicians must give due consideration to this practice and belief among their patients