Psychiatric Morbidities among Attenders of an Islamic Spiritual Healing Centre in Malaysia
- Author:
Khadijah Hasanah Abang Abdullah
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Spirituality, Spiritual Healing, Traditional Medicine, Religiosity, Psychiatric Morbidity
- From:
The International Medical Journal Malaysia
2017;16(1):75-82
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Traditional medicine which includes Islamic faith healing centre is still an important place to
seek treatment whether for psychiatric reasons or others. This study aims to determine the prevalence of
psychiatric illness among attenders of an Islamic spiritual healing centre and to understand patients’ illness
attribution and their religiosity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done with a systematic random
sampling to obtain the prevalence of psychiatric illness which was diagnosed using Malay version of Mini
International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I). Religiosity was measured using Hatta Islamic Religiosity
Scale 1996 (HIRS96) and illness perception using Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ). Results: The
prevalence of psychiatric illness among the attenders was 53.5%. Depressive disorder were more prevalent
(41.5%) followed by anxiety disorder (28.3%), bipolar disorder (16.8%) and psychotic disorders (5.9%). More
than half (58.8%) of attenders attributed their illness to supernatural causes but there were no significant
difference between those with psychiatric illness and those without in terms of their attribution to
supernatural causes, p=0.197.Generally, the patients had a higher religiosity score. Conclusion : This high
prevalence shows a need for collaboration with the spiritual healing practitioners to improve delivery of
treatment to patient and this would be a more holistic approach.
