Influence of Islamic religion and spirituality on the well-being and quality of life of cancer patients: a meta-analysis and a hypothetical model of cerebral mechanisms / Influência da religião e da espiritualidade islâmica no bem-estar e na qualidade de vida de pacientes com câncer: uma metanálise e um modelo hipotético de mecanismos cerebrais

OBJECTIVE: To systematically analyze quantitative data about the effects of religion/spirituality and the well-being/quality of life of cancer patients. The second aim was to hypothesize a neurophysiological model of the association between religion/spirituality and the brain. METHODS: This study met the PRISMA Statement and was registered at PROSPERO database. Randomized and Controlled trials investigating religion/spirituality and well-being/quality of life of cancer patients were included. Based on neuroimaging and neurophysiology studies, a neuroanatomical model was developed to hypothesize the relationship between neuroscience and religion/spirituality. RESULTS: A large effect size was found on the improvement of well-being/quality of life (SMD = 3.90 [2.43-5.38], p < 0.01). Heterogeneity was high among studies (I2 = 98%, p < 0.01). Specific regions of the brain, such as the temporal lobes, amygdalae and hippocampus, regions from the limbic system, were hypothesized to take part in the religion/spirituality phenomena and the well-being/quality of life improvement. CONCLUSION: Religion/spirituality intervention, mainly the Islamic, promotes an improvement on wellbeing/quality of life of cancer patients.

OBJETIVO: Analisar sistematicamente dados quantitativos sobre os efeitos da religião/espiritualidade e o bem-estar/qualidade de vida de pacientes com câncer. O segundo objetivo foi levantar a hipótese de um modelo neurofisiológico da associação entre religião/espiritualidade e o cérebro. MÉTODOS: Este estudo seguiu as recomendações do PRISMA e foi registrado no PROSPERO. Estudos randomizados e controlados investigando religião/espiritualidade e o bem-estar/qualidade de vida de pacientes com câncer foram incluídos. Com base em estudos de neuroimagem e neurofisiologia, um modelo neuroanatômico foi desenvolvido para hipotetizar relações entre neurociência e religião/espiritualidade. RESULTADOS: Um tamanho de efeito grande foi encontrado na melhoria do bem-estar/qualidade de vida (SMD = 3,90 [2,43-5,38], p < 0,01). A heterogeneidade foi alta entre os estudos (I2 = 98%, p < 0,01). Regiões específicas do cérebro, como lobos temporais, amídalas e hipocampo, regiões do sistema límbico, foram hipotetizadas como participantes dos fenômenos religião/espiritualidade e melhoria do bem-estar/qualidade de vida. CONCLUSÃO: A intervenção religiosa/espiritual, principalmente islâmica, promove melhora no bem-estar/qualidade de vida em pacientes com câncer.

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).

Silent screams: A case report on a Muslim medical student with borderline personality and major depressive disorder

@#This is a case of a Muslim medical student who sought psychiatric consultation because of suicidal behaviors and declining academic performance, diagnosed with Borderline Personality and Major Depressive Disorder. It was later discovered that she had gone through various instances of physical, emotional and sexual trauma since she was a child. These histories of transgenerational trauma were explored throughout the course of evaluation, including how these experiences had affected her current condition.

Experiências de adolescentes turcos de viver com ostomia: um estudo qualitativo / Experiencias de adolescentes turcos que viven con ostomía: un estudio cualitativo / Turkish adolescents' experiences of living with a stoma: a qualitative study

Resumo Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar em profundidade as experiências de adolescentes turcos vivendo com ostomia. Métodos Este é um estudo fenomenológico hermenêutico qualitativo. A população do estudo foi composta por 11 adolescentes ostomizados da Turquia, com idades entre 12 e 21 anos. Os adolescentes participaram de entrevistas semiestruturadas com perguntas abertas sobre suas experiências com a ostomia. Os dados foram coletados entre janeiro e maio de 2019. Resultados Quarenta e seis afirmações significativas foram extraídas e agrupadas em sete temas. Os temas foram: desconforto, ocultação da ostomia, imagem corporal alterada, ambiente social protetor, experiências de oração, problemas vivenciados com a bolsa de colostomia e cuidados com ela, planos futuros alterados. Conclusão Os resultados do estudo identificaram uma série de desafios na vida dos adolescentes com ostomia. Os resultados podem ser úteis para os profissionais de saúde apoiarem seus pacientes adolescentes com ostomia. Além disso, esses achados podem servir de base para a realização de estudos futuros para melhorar a qualidade de vida dos adolescentes ostomizados.

Resumen Objetivo El objetivo de este estudio fue el de investigar en profundidad las experiencias de adolescentes turcos que viven con ostomía. Métodos Este es un estudio fenomenológico hermenéutico cualitativo. La población objeto del estudio estuvo compuesta por 11 adolescentes ostomizados de Turquía, con edades entre los 12 y los 21 años. Los adolescentes participaron de entrevistas semiestructuradas con preguntas abiertas sobre sus experiencias con la ostomía. Los datos fueron recopilados entre enero y mayo de 2019. Resultados Cuarenta y seis afirmaciones significativas fueron extraídas y agrupadas en siete temas. Los temas fueron: incomodidad, ocultación de la ostomía, imagen corporal alterada, ambiente social protector, experiencias de oración, problemas vividos con la bolsa de colostomía y sus cuidados, planes futuros alterados. Conclusión Los resultados del estudio identificaron una serie de desafíos en la vida de los adolescentes con ostomía. Los resultados pueden ser de utilidad para que los profesionales de salud les brinden apoyo a sus pacientes adolescentes con ostomía. Además, esos hallazgos pueden servir de base para la realización de estudios futuros para la mejora de la calidad de vida de los adolescentes ostomizados.

Abstract Objective This study's purpose was to investigate the experiences of Turkish adolescents with stoma in greater depth. Methods This is qualitative, hermeneutic phenomenological study. The study population consisted of 11 adolescents with stoma aged 12-21 years, in Turkey. Adolescents took part in semi-structured interviews consisting of open-ended questions about their experiences about stoma. Data were collected between January-May 2019. Results Forty-six significant statements were extracted and clustered in seven themes. The themes were, discomfort, concealing the stoma, changed body image, protective social environment, praying experiences, experienced problems about stoma bag and stoma care, altered future plans. Conclusions The findings of the study identified a number of challenges in the life for adolescent with ostomy. The results can be helpful for the health care providers to support their adolescent patients with ostomy. In addition, these findings can be base data to conduct future studies to improve quality of life of the adolescents with ostomy.

Decolonizando a sexualidade no islã: um diálogo com mulheres muçulmanas brasileiras / Decolonizando la sexualidad en el islam: un diálogo con mujeres musulmanas brasileñas / Decolonizing sexuality in islam: a dialogue with brazilian muslim women

Resumo Os estudos de gênero e sexualidade vêm se destacando nas pautas atuais de pesquisas realizadas em campo islâmico. Existe dentro da religião um incentivo aos prazeres que contraria a visão estereotipada da opressão e repressão da mulher muçulmana, bem como a relação problemática entre feminismo e religião que muitas acadêmicas e militantes muçulmanas vêm tentando desconstruir. A partir da etnografia realizada pelas autoras, são tecidas reflexões sobre a sexualidade no Islã a partir de uma perspectiva decolonial. Busca-se ressaltar as práticas e os sentidos que as mulheres muçulmanas brasileiras revertidas ao Islã atribuem à sexualidade, dentro dos seguintes eixos: (a) vestimenta islâmica e a fetichização da muçulmana; (b) lícito/ilícito e a capacidade de agência e protagonismo dessas mulheres; (c) conhecimento religioso e empoderamento feminino. A pesquisa permite destacar dimensões das experiências das mulheres muçulmanas que diferem da posição de subalternidade a qual são constantemente submetidas.

Resumen Los estudios de género y sexualidad se han destacado en la actual agenda de investigación llevada a cabo en el campo islámico. Dentro de la religión existe un incentivo al placer que va en contra la visión estereotipada de la opresión y represión de las mujeres musulmanas, así como de la relación problemática entre el feminismo y la religión que muchas académicas y militantes musulmanas están intentando deconstruir. A partir de la etnografía realizada por las autoras, las reflexiones sobre la sexualidad en el Islam se realizan desde una perspectiva decolonial. El artículo busca resaltar las prácticas y los significados que las mujeres musulmanas brasileñas que volvieron al Islam atribuyen a la sexualidad, dentro de los siguientes ejes: (a) vestimenta islámica y fetichización de las musulmanas; (b) lícito/ilícito y la capacidad de agencia y protagonismo de estas mujeres; (c) conocimiento religioso y empoderamiento femenino. La investigación nos permite destacar dimensiones de las vivencias de mujeres musulmanas que se diferencian de la posición subordinada a la que están constantemente sometidas.

Abstract Gender and sexuality studies are prominent topics in current research regarding the Islamic field. There is an incentive to pleasure within religion that contradicts the oppressed and repressed Muslim woman stereotype, as well as the problematic relationship between feminism and religion that many Muslim academics and militants have been trying to deconstruct. Reflections on sexuality in Islam from a decolonial perspective derives from the ethnography conducted by the authors. The article seeks to highlight the practices and meanings that Brazilian Muslim women who reverted to Islam attribute to sexuality, within the following axes: (a) Islamic clothing and the fetishization of Muslim women; (b) licit/illicit and the capacity of agency and protagonism of these women; (c) religious knowledge and women's empowerment. The research shows dimensions of the experiences of Muslim women that differ from the position of subalternity to which they are constantly submitted.

Abate halal com e sem insensibilização em ovinos: implicações sobre o bem-estar animal e a eficiência da sangria / [Halal slaughter with and without stunning in sheep: implications on animal welfare and bleeding efficiency]

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as implicações sobre o bem-estar animal e a eficiência da sangria no abate halal com e sem insensibilização em ovinos. Foram avaliados 102 ovinos, em abate comercial, separados randomicamente pelo peso em dois grupos: com insensibilização (CI) e sem insensibilização (SI). Verificou-se que os animais sem insensibilização apresentaram sinais de endireitamento e vocalização após 20 segundos da degola. Houve diferença significativa para hemácias (P<0,01), hemoglobina (P<0,01), leucócitos totais (P<0,001), bem como para os biomarcadores de estresse, como CK (P<0,01) e lactato (P<0,001). Apesar de não apresentarem diferença estatística significativa, o LDH e o cortisol ficaram acima dos valores basais em ambos os grupos. Não foram observadas alterações séricas para glicose e AST. Houve diferença estatística significativa para eficiência da sangria (P<0,01). Os resultados demonstraram que houve estresse no abate halal com e sem insensibilização e melhor eficiência da sangria em animais não insensibilizados.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the implications on animal welfare and the sangria efficiency in halal slaugther with and without stunning in sheep. 102 sheep were appraised in a commercial slaugthter, divided randomly for the weight in two groups: with stunning (CI) and without stunning (SI). It was verified that the animals without stunning presented straighten signs and vocalization after 20 seconds of decapitation. There was significant difference for erythrocytes (P<0.05), hemoglobin (P<0.01), leucocytes (P<0.01), stress of biomarkers CK (P<0.01) and lactate (P<0.01). Alterations in serum were not observed for glucose and AST. There was significant statistical difference for bleeding efficiency (P<0.01). The results demonstrated that there was stress in the halal slaugther with and without stunning and better bleeding efficiency in animals with traditional religious slaughter without stunning.(AU)

Repercusiones multiculturales en el desarrollo lingüístico: efectos en el rendimiento / Repercussões multiculturais no desenvolvimento linguístico: efeitos no desempenho acadêmico / Multicultural repercussions in linguistic development: effectson academic performance

Este trabajo tiene como objetivo verificar las diferencias de rendimiento académico del alumnado de segundo ciclo de Educación Infantil que pertenecen a un contexto multicultural en el que coexisten una lengua oficial (castellano) y un dialecto cultural (darija). La muestra la componen un total de 501 alumnos cristianos y musulmanes del tercer curso a los que se les aplicó un cuestionario que evalúa el grado de adquisición de los aspectos competenciales de las áreas de comunicación y lenguaje, social y motriz. Para el análisis del conjunto de los datos se utilizaron pruebas estadísticas descriptivas y de contraste de variables. Los resultados demuestran como la lengua materna es un factor principal de diferenciación en todas las áreas del desempeño académico en este periodo, destacando las dimensiones comunicativas. Estas diferencias tienen una relación directa con la adhesión identitaria de los musulmanes a un dialecto cultural. (AU)

Este trabalho tem como objetivo verificar as diferenças no desempenho acadêmico dos alunos em segundo ciclo de Educação Infantil pertencentes a um contexto multicultural em que coexistem uma língua oficial (castelhano) e um dialeto cultural (Darija). A amostra foi composta por um total de 501 estudantes cristãos e muçulmanos no terceiro ano em que foram aplicados um questionário que avalia o grau de aquisição de questões jurisdicionais nas áreas de comunicação e linguagem, social e motor. Para a análise do conjunto de dados, foram utilizados testes descritivos e de contraste das variáveis. Os resultados mostram como a língua materna é um importante fator de diferenciação em todas as áreas de desempenho acadêmico durante este período, com destaque para a dimensão de comunicação. Essas diferenças têm uma relação direta com a adesão dos muçulmanos a um dialeto cultural. (AU)

The objective of this work is to verify the differences in the academic performance of students in the second cycle of Early Childhood Education who belong to a multicultural context in which an official language (Castilian) and a cultural dialect (darija) coexist. The sample is made up of a total of 501 Christian and Muslim students of the third year who were given a questionnaire that assesses the degree of acquisition of the competence aspects of the areas of communication and language, social and motor. For the analysis of the data set, descriptive and contrast tests of variables were used. The results demonstrate how the mother tongue is a main factor of differentiation in all areas of academic performance in this period, highlighting the communicative dimensions. These differences have a direct relationship with the adherence of Muslims to a cultural dialect. (AU)

Influencia de las variables sociodemográficas sobre la ansiedad y el rendimiento académico adolescente: el contexto pluricultural de Ceuta / Influence of Sociodemographic Variables on Anxiety and Academic Achievement in Adolescence: The Pluricultural Context of Ceuta

Resumen Este trabajo tiene como objetivo fundamental analizar la ansiedad y el rendimiento académico, sus tipos y niveles en función de edad, género, cultura y estrato socioeconómico, así como contemplar las relaciones entre ambas. Se contó con 811 participantes. El 71.6% de la muestra eran musulmanes, mientras que el 28.4% eran cristianos; el 46.1% hombres y el 53.9% mujeres. Como instrumentos de evaluación se empleó el STAIC (Spielberger, 2001) y las calificaciones del alumnado. Se reflejan niveles medio-bajos en ansiedad y medios en rendimiento académico. En la ansiedad influyen edad, género, cultura/religión y estatus socio-económico-cultural. Sobre el rendimiento actúan la edad, la cultura y el estatus. No se halló relación estadísticamente significativa entre ansiedad y rendimiento académico.

Abstract The main objective of this paper is to analyze the types and levels of Anxiety and Academic Achievement according to age, gender, culture and socioeconomic and cultural, as well as the relationships between both variables. We focused on 811 participants 71.6% of whom were Muslims and 28.4% Christian; 46.1% male and 53.9% female. The techniques used in this survey were the STAIC (Spielberger, 2001) as well as the students' grades. The results reflect medium-low levels in Anxiety and medium levels in Achievement. Anxiety is influenced by age, gender, culture and status. Academic Achievement is influenced by age, culture and socioeconomic and cultural. There is no statistically significant relationship between Anxiety and Achievement, except in Mathematics, increasing as the Anxiety scores are lower.

Consanguinity and Inbreeding Coefficient F in Aligarh city, India: A Cross Sectional Study

Objective: To determine the coefficient of inbreeding of consanguinity (F) and its correlates in Aligarh city, India. Material and Methods: Cross sectional household survey with a sample size of 2000 (1600 non-consanguineous and 400 consanguineous couples) using systematic random sampling. Researcher conducted the study by visiting every tenth household of every tenth ward of Aligarh city. Information was recorded on a pre-tested questionnaire, which had questions pertaining to religion, details regarding relationship between couples (consanguineous / non consanguineous marriage), type of consanguinity (first cousin/second cousin/third cousin), level of education and occupation (a proxy for socioeconomic status). Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and multivariate logistic regression were used. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Islam (p<0.001) and Christianity (p<0.001) were significantly associated with consanguinity. Private employment with (-) B value (p<0.001) showed a significant association of the variable with non-consanguineous group. Coefficient of inbreeding for the present study was 0.0538, highest reported from any part of India. Conclusion: Consanguinity is a prevailing problem in Aligarh city, India. Evidence based guidelines needed. Information ­ education ­ communication and pre-marital counseling suggested to make population aware of the consequences of consanguinity and to help couples make a decision.

The Influence of Feedback in the Simulated Patient Case-History Training among Audiology Students at the International Islamic University Malaysia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is a scant evidence on the use of simulations in audiology (especially in Malaysia) for case-history taking, although this technique is widely used for training medical and nursing students. Feedback is one of the important components in simulations training; however, it is unknown if feedback by instructors could influence the simulated patient (SP) training outcome for case-history taking among audiology students. Aim of the present study is to determine whether the SP training with feedback in addition to the standard role-play and seminar training is an effective learning tool for audiology case-history taking. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-six second-year undergraduate audiology students participated. A cross-over study design was used. All students initially attended two hours of seminar and role-play sessions. They were then divided into three types of training, 1) SP training (Group A), 2) SP with feedback (Group B), and 3) a non-additional training group (Group C). After two training sessions, the students changed their types of training to, 1) Group A and C: SP training with feedback, and 2) Group B: non-additional training. All the groups were assessed at three points: 1) pre-test, 2) intermediate, and 3) post-test. The normalized median score differences between and within the respective groups were analysed using non-parametric tests at 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Groups with additional SP trainings (with and without feedback) showed a significantly higher normalized gain score than no training group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The SP training (with/ without feedback) is a beneficial learning tool for history taking to students in audiology major.

Construction and validation of a mentoring questionnaire based on Islamic culture / 한국의학교육

Education is considered to be a cultural and value-driven matter where any intervention in this field requires certain tools in order to describe the status quo. The current study, while taking into account the contextual texts related to Islamic mentoring, seeks to develop a tool to quantify this concept, as well as introduce the respective psychometric properties. A 113 items questionnaire was designed after reviewing the literature, the recommended guidelines concerning Islamic mentor and mentee, and reviewing available international tools. Content validity of the questionnaire was evaluated based on several criteria of clarity, fitness, and comprehensiveness by a survey of 10 experts and the necessary corrections were made. In the primary phase of this study, the psychometric properties of this questionnaire were evaluated by collecting the data from a random sample of 213 Iranian Ph.D. students in Tehran Universities of Medical Sciences. The factors analysis results show that 70 items, in the form of nine factors, construct the Islamic monitoring. Furthermore, The Cronbach's α coefficient was determined for each factor and the entire questionnaire. Total reliability of the scale was obtained at 0.97. Considering the confirmed validity and reliability of the questionnaire, this tool can be highly beneficial for the experts and education professionals, particularly in the field of medicine, for the assessment and establishment of mentoring.

Evaluating the Effect of Educational Interventions on Health Literacy through Social Networking Services to Promote Students' Quality of Life / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown the health literacy effects on the general state of health and its related factors, as well as health outcomes, physical and mental health, and health-related quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the effect of training based on health literacy through social networking strategies to promote health-related quality of life among students of Islamic Azad University, Shahr Rey Branch, Iran. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 120 students with poor or average quality of life score. Participants were randomly assigned into experimental and control groups (60 participants each). Health literacy and quality of life data were collected at baseline, immediately after, and 3 months after intervention. The educational intervention was conducted online using social networking services. Data were analyzed using SPSS ver. 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: The results showed no significant differences between the two groups in terms of health literacy and quality of life at baseline (P=0.979 and 0.269, respectively). The mean score of health literacy and quality of life in the experimental group, compared with the control group, significantly increased immediately after and 3 months after the intervention (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The educational intervention administered by applying health literacy strategies online, through social networking services, can be effective in improving the quality of life of students.

Iodine Status in Filipino Women of Childbearing Age

BACKGROUND: Iodine deficiency (ID) has become a concern not only among pregnant women, but in women of childbearing age as well. In fact, a recent report suggested that women with moderate to severe ID may experience a significantly longer time to conceive. This study aimed to investigate iodine status in Filipino women of childbearing age. METHODS: The iodine status of 6,194 Filipino women aged 15 to 45 years old was assessed through urinary iodine analysis. A casual spot urine sample was collected from women in households participating in the eighth National Nutrition Survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute. The sample was analyzed using ammonium persulfate digestion followed by the Sandell-Kolthoff colorimetric reaction. A median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) of less than 100 µg/L was used to define ID. RESULTS: The median UIC was 123 µg/L, indicative of adequate iodine nutrition; however, 21.5% of participants had a UIC below 50 µg/L. The median UIC of women who lived in urban areas (142 µg/L), belonged to the middle to richest class (>124 µg/L), had reached a college education (136 µg/L), and used iodized salt (15 ppm and above; 148 to 179 µg/L) reflected adequate iodine nutrition. ID was found to have been eliminated in the regions of Central Luzon, Eastern Visayas, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and the National Capital, while mild ID was identified in Western Visayas, Southern and Western Mindanao, and in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. CONCLUSION: Pockets of ID among women of childbearing age exist in the Philippines. Proper information through education and the use of adequately iodized salt are key measures for improving the iodine status of the studied population.

Creencias islámicas respecto a la muerte y análisis sobre su impacto en la donación humana / Islamic beliefs regarding death and analysis of its impact in human donation

El islam surgió a principios del siglo VII, al este de la península arábiga, cuando Mahoma, el profeta, tuvo revelaciones del arcángel Gabriel y, consecuentemente, propuso el nacimiento de este modo de vida basado en el sometimiento a la voluntad de Alá. Las creencias alrededor de esta religión han cruzado fronteras, debido a la migración voluntaria o forzosa de su comunidad, hecho que ha marcado una influencia sociocultural de gran magnitud en sus creyentes respecto a la muerte y, por ende, a la donación humana de órganos y tejidos para trasplante. Por este motivo, su estudio constituye un tema de gran interés para los profesionales de la salud, dado que hay percepciones que influyen directamente en la concepción de sus fieles. Se tiene en cuenta el cuerpo como un ente sagrado, símbolo de la integración del alma, materia, ego e intelecto con una resurrección que podría comprometer su integridad en el proceso de donación. Sin embargo, las grandes instituciones en materia de bioética islámica respaldan que prima la obligación moral de solidaridad universal que conlleva hacerle el bien al prójimo, siempre y cuando no se infrinja un daño al ser propio.

Islam is a religion that emerged in the seventh century in the east of the Arabian Peninsula when Mahoma, the prophet, had revelations of angel Gabriel and consecutively proposed the birth of this form of life that is based on submission before the will of Allah. Beliefs around this religion have crossed borders due to the voluntary or forced migration of their community, exercising a major socio-cultural influence on its believers regarding death and, therefore, human organ donation and tissues for transplantation. For this reason, its study is an issue of great interest to health professionals, since there are perceptions that have a direct impact on the conception of their faithful. The body is considered as a sacred entity, symbol of the integration of the soul, matter, ego and intellect with a resurrection that could jeopardize its integrity when donation is carried out. However, major institutions in Islamic Bioethics support that moral obligation of universal solidarity is more important, leading to do good to the neighbor, as long as it does not infringe any damage to one's own.

Representações europeias sobre controle de natalidade e aborto em sociedades islâmicas e haréns no período moderno / European representations of birth control and abortions in Islamic societies and harems in the modern period

Resumo Ao longo do período moderno, as mulheres islâmicas, residentes em palácios ou em casas comuns, recorriam a medidas para prevenir a concepção ou, quando a gravidez ocorria, para induzir o aborto. Para tanto, faziam uso de ervas, drogas abortivas ou contavam com o auxílio de outras mulheres para interromper uma gestação indesejada. Os registros sobre tais práticas eram feitos por europeus - em alguns casos, médicos - que viajaram para as regiões islâmicas e que retrataram esse cenário em suas narrativas. Além dos abortos, também se noticiava o infanticídio nos palácios imperiais. Discute-se aqui como tais fontes descreviam o controle de natalidade, e como problematizavam o harém lascivo - tópos recorrente na literatura orientalista - a partir da óptica médica.

Abstract Throughout the modern period, Islamic women (whether they lived in palaces or normal houses) resorted to measures to prevent conception or to induce abortion when pregnancy occurred. They used herbs and abortifacient drugs or relied on help from other women to eliminate unwanted pregnancies. Such practices were recorded by Europeans - in some cases, doctors - who traveled to Islamic regions and described these scenes in their narratives. In addition to abortions, infanticide was also observed in the imperial palaces. Here we discuss how these sources described birth control, and how they investigated the lascivious harem, a recurring trope in orientalist literature, from a medical perspective.

Permissibility of multifetal pregnancy reduction from the shiite point of view

Background: Advancements in medical technology have significantly increased the possibility of successful infertility treatment. Medical interventions in the initial process of pregnancy that intend to increase the chances of pregnancy create the risk of multifetal pregnancies for both mothers and fetuses. Physicians attempt to reduce the numbers of fetuses in order to decrease this risk and guarantee the continuation of pregnancy. The aim of this paper is to understand the Shiite instruction in terms of the risks multifetal pregnancies have for fetuses and if it is permissible to reduce the numbers of fetuses. An affirmative answer will lead to the development of Islamic criteria for reduction of the number of embryos

Materials and Methods: This analytical-descriptive research gathered relevant data as a literature search. We reviewed a number of Islamic resources that pertained to the fetus; after a description of the fundamentals and definitions, we subsequently analyzed juridical texts. The order of reduction was inevitably determined by taking into consideration the rules that governed the abortion provisions or general juridical rules. We also investigated the UK law as a comparison to the Shiite perspective

Results: The primary ordinance states that termination of an embryo is not permitted and is considered taboo. However, fetal reductions that occur in emergency situations where there is no option or ordinary indication are permitted before the time of ensoulment. The goal of reduction can be chosen from different ways

Conclusion: According to Shiite sources, fetal reduction is permitted. Defective fetuses are the criteria for selective reduction. If none are defective, the criteria are possibility and facility. But if the possibility of selection is equally for more than one fetus, the criterion is importance [for example one fetus is healthier]

attitudes of fertile and infertile women to Oocyte donation in a Muslim and Secular population

Objective: To determine general attitudes of fertile and infertile women to oocyte donation in a Muslim and secular population

Methods: The participants consisted of fertile women [n=133] who had at least one healthy living child spontaneously conceived without any fertility treatment and infertile women [n=133] who were diagnosed with primary infertility. Both groups were evaluated with charts comprised of 34 questions addressing demographic characteristics and the social aspects of oocyte and sperm donation

Results: Although the age of fertile women was significantly greater than infertile women, there was no significant difference in terms of duration of marriage, education level, or employment status between the two groups. Most of the women in each group reported that they did not have enough knowledge about oocyte donation to make a decision. Only 12% of fertile women and 18% of infertile women declared that they would have oocytes from another woman if they did not have or could not have a child [p=0.004]. Only 9.0% of fertile women and 18.8% of infertile women declared that they would donate oocytes to anyone who is infertile [p=0.021]

Conclusion: Despite improvement in health care, most fertile and infertile women are still against oocyte donation. This situation may be related to the conservative leanings of Turkish society in recent decades

Predetermined Anti-Diabetic Drug Regimen Adjustments during Ramadan Fasting: An Observational Study of Safety

BACKGROUND: Many Muslim type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients choose to fast the month of Ramadan despite the possible adverse health effects brought about by the change in dietary habits, among other things. Clinical data regarding the safety of multi-drug regimens during fasting are particularly scarce. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety of a drug protocol devised by the authors to accommodate Ramadan's dietary changes, involving dose adjustments of four anti-diabetic drug regimens in T2DM patients fasting Ramadan. METHODS: In this prospective, observational, open-label study, 301 T2DM patients who wished to fast Ramadan were followed during Ramadan and the preceding month. The incidence of hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and non-ketotic hyperosmolar state (NKHS) was monitored. Patients were classified into four groups: A group (those taking metformin, sulfonylurea and insulin [n=33]); B group (metformin and sulfonylurea [n=89]); C group (metformin and insulin [n=96]); and D group (premixed 70/30, glargine or regular insulin [n=82]). During Ramadan, drug doses were adjusted as percentages of their pre-Ramadan values: 75% for sulfonylureas, 75% for glargine, 75% for premixed insulin 70/30 in two doses, and 75% for regular insulin. Metformin was adjusted to a twice-daily regimen. RESULTS: No cases of DKA or NKHS were reported. Hypoglycemia occurred at a lower rate than pre-Ramadan values in groups C, and D; and a similar rate in groups A, and B. CONCLUSION: The data suggested that using the above protocol to adjust the doses of anti-diabetic drugs is safe in T2DM patients in regards to hypoglycemia, DKA, and NKHS.

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