Date of Award

2-17-2020

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Health Policy and Management

First Advisor

DR. Rozina Karmaliani

Second Advisor

DR. Nargis Asad

Department

Community Health Sciences

Abstract

Background: According to the World Health Organization, mental disorders will affect 1 in 4 people in the world population at some point in their lives. There are several treatment options for mental illness. Most of the people who seek help for their mental illness faces challenges in the form of victimization and stigmatization in most of the developing countries5 which stops them to seek medical treatment openly and they end up choosing faith healing therapy. A faith healer is a person who has gained detailed knowledge of the religion and offers practices to the people within the religious and cultural context.16 Objective To gain in-depth understanding of the perception of people with mental health issues visiting faith healers. To describe the strategies used by faith healers providing care to people with mental health problems.
Method:Through purposive sampling strategy two famous faith healers were selected after user’s recommendations. From each center, five to six participants were randomly selected to get a maximum variation in the perception and opinions for visiting faith healers. This was an exploratory qualitative study in which 13 residents of the area were selected 2 faith healers and 11 users and conducted semi-structural interviews to have a maximum variation about their understanding, opinion, and perception of faith healing as a treatment option for any type of mental or psychological illness.
Results: The findings were that many people consult faith healers for the treatment of their or their loved ones’ mental or psychological illness. They preferred faith healer due to different reasons like they perceive faith healing is more effective as compared to medical treatment, faith healing was more convenient and affordable for them as faith healers are living among them, some consult faith healers because faith healer does not have any fixed fee and he/she accepts whatever people give him with their wish. Some visit faith healers due to the unavailability of mental hospitals, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Faith healers were identified as a person with deep religious education who responds to the issues of the user in the light of the Holy Book and considering the beliefs of users and the guidance of Religious scholars. They were offering free of cost services.
Conclusion: This study has identified some challenges faced by the residents of Yasin valley Gilgit Baltistan regarding their mental and psychological health treatment. Moreover, it has also explored the reasons behind the preference and visitation of the users towards faith healers as compared to medical treatment. The perception of users about faith healing and their attitude towards faith has also been explored in the study. Furthermore, the responses and treatment techniques of the faith healers have also been explored by the study. The findings have explored the lack of the Health Services Delivery system in the Yasin valley of Gilgit Baltistan.

First Page

1

Last Page

51

Download

Share

COinS