An inquiry into the concept of infancy care based on the perspective of Islam

Wet Nurse or Milk Bank? Evolution in the Model of Human Lactation: New Challenges for the Islamic Population

(1) Introduction: The establishment of milk banks in the Islamic world as well as donation to Islamic families in Western countries remains a challenge in the context of human lactation. Religious reservations established since the Qur'an and regulated at the legal-religious and medical level equate milk kinship with consanguinity, which prevents donation. The aim of the study was to analyse the evolution in the model of breastfeeding and care in Islamic society. (2) Methods: The methodology of comparative history was applied, following the structural-dialectical model of care. Historical manuals, articles and databases were analysed. (3) Results: Paediatric care in medical manuals from the 10th-15th centuries is similar to that practiced by the Muslim population today, some beneficial, some harmful; the wet nurse had to follow a series of dietary habits and have a series of physical, moral and educational characteristics in order to be hired. They constituted a beginning of pseudo-professionalisation, in a domestic-family framework. Human milk was used as a remedy for different health problems. (4) Conclusions: Islamic society and nursing have to evolve towards transnational care adapted to the needs of the population.

Examination of Breast Cancer Screening Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs among Syrian Refugee Women in a Western Canadian Province

Background

Women living in the Arab world present low breast cancer screening rates, delayed diagnosis, and higher mortality rates.

Purpose

To further explore the Muslim Syrian refugee women’s breast self-examination (BSE), utilization of clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography.

Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive exploratory study design was used. The sample consisted of 75 refugee women. Data were collected using Champion’s Health Belief Model Scale, the Cancer Stigma Scale, and the Arab Culture-Specific Barriers to Breast Cancer Questionnaire. Descriptive, Pearson correlation and logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the data.

Results

A minority of women had BSE (32%), CBE (12%) and mammograms (6.7%) anytime during their lifetime. Women’s breast cancer screening (BCS) knowledge ranked at a medium level (M = 10.57, SD = 0.40). Low knowledge score, BSE information, policy opposition, responsibility, barriers to BSE, and seriousness were found to be statistically significant in women’s BSE practice. BSE benefits and religious beliefs significantly predict CBE Age, education, knowledge, responsibility, susceptibility, social barriers, and religious beliefs were statistically significant in women’s mammography use (p < .01).

Conclusions

Participants’ breast cancer screening practices were low. Health beliefs, Arab culture and stigma about cancer affected women’s BCS practices. Faith-based interventions may improve knowledge and practices.

Meanings and practices of the physical activity engaged in by Moroccan women in an Islamic urban environment: A quasi-ethnography

AIM

To understand the meanings and practices of the physical activity (PA) engaged in by Moroccan women in an Islamic urban environment.

DESIGN

Quasi-ethnographical study.

METHODS

13 semi-structured interviews and 15 observation sessions of the PA engaged in by women.

RESULTS

The concept of PA fits into the holistic approach of Islam. The social and cultural conditions of those who regularly practise PA are diverse. The community collaborates to overcome difficulties involved with this practice. The flexibility of issues such as gender segregation and clothing, Islam as a stimulus for PA, health as a value, the promotion of a rights and duty-based model for health care user, the community co-creation of the PA offer, and the power of organized civil society could inspire new strategies for the promotion of PA among Muslim women in other contexts.