User:Catebenitez25/sandbox

Influential Factors- Religion

-Religion is not included in maternal health page and it is a big factor to healthcare. Draft below for how to include it.

There are many factors that influence maternal health and the utilization of resources that women have access to. One of these factors that recent studies have highlighted is religion. A study that took place in St John’s, Canada researched how immigrant Muslims living in the area were treated and given maternal care. Due to the insensitivity and lack of knowledge that the doctors showed the Muslim women, their health information and treatment suffered. The information did not contain anything based on their religious or cultural practices and did little to provide cultural adjustments and emotional support. The maternity health care and practices did nothing to meet the needs of the Muslim women who put their lives into the hands of these doctors. In order to provide a safer and more comfortable environment for Muslim women, it was proven that they needed more support that would connect with the immigrant community and health-related information. Discrimination based on religion is definitely a factor that effects the maternal health and health care of women from different backgrounds. It is evident that there needs to be proactive steps to adjust some of the mainstream practices to improve all maternal health. There is not a lot of discussion regarding the studies that reflect the hardships that women go through based on maternal care in terms of religion. Instead, there is a lot of stigma and norms regarding all religion that in turn place women at risk when receiving health-care.

While misunderstanding religion in healthcare can lead to a dangerous health environment, some religious practices have been shown to influence maternal health in a negative way. Apostolic sect members in Zimbabwe have been associated with higher maternal mortality. Results of a study showed the dangerous associations that some religions may have on maternal health. The study in Zimbabwe shows that Apostolicism promotes high fertility, early marriage, non-use of contraceptives and low or non-use of hospital care. There are delays in recognizing danger signs, deciding to seek care and receiving appropriate health care. The practices and beliefs inherent to the religion increases the risk of maternal death.