The Role of Religious Places in Disease Prevention, Notification, and Control: A Public Health Interface

Article Sidebar

Published: 2025-06-30
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56450/

Main Article Content

Dr.Bharti Koria
Dr.
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0449-1984

Abstract

While religion is important in shaping beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, it is particularly potent in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where formal health systems are restricted. This review aims to analyze the historical and contemporary roles of religious places in the prevention, notification, and control of disease. We underscore the impact of faith-based organizations (FBOs) and religious leaders on health education, stigma, service delivery, and FBOs regarding early detection. This article draws specific case studies from India and Africa while proposing tangible strategies for addressing international public health challenges through religious spaces.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2025): (Ahead of Print) - JEFI: Journal of the Epidemiology Foundation of India

Section

Review Article

Author Biography

Dr.Bharti Koria, Dr.

Associate Professor, Community Medicine department, PDU Government medical college, Rajkot, Gujarat

How to Cite

1.
The Role of Religious Places in Disease Prevention, Notification, and Control: A Public Health Interface. JEFI [Internet]. 2025 Jun. 30 [cited 2025 Jul. 1];3(2). Available from: https://efi.org.in/journal/index.php/JEFI/article/view/264
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

References

1.Pew Research Center. The future of world religions: population growth projections, 2010–2050. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center; 2020.

2.World Health Organization. Engaging faith-based organizations in health emergency preparedness and response. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021.

3.Campbell Catherine, Skovdal Morten, Gibbs Andrew. Churches and AIDS in Africa: attitudes, stigma, and prevention. J Soc Aspects HIV/AIDS. 2007;4(2):512–521.

4.Pandya Alpesh, Deshmukh Anjali. Role of temple priests in TB case detection in rural Maharashtra. Indian J Tuberc. 2019;66(3):295–301.

5.Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE). Report on vaccine hesitancy. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2012.

6.The Hindu. Mosques and churches aid COVID vaccine rollout in Kerala. The Hindu. 2021 Mar 10.

7. Marshall K, Smith S. Religion and Ebola: learning from experience. The Lancet. 2015 Oct 31;386(10005): e24–e25. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)61082-0.

8. Samuels F, Amaya AB, Balabanova D. Religion and Ebola: learning from experience. The Lancet. 2015 Oct 31;386(10005):e24–e25. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)61082-0.

9.Mukasa Brian, Nakimuli-Mpungu Etheldreda, Kizza Dorothy, Kibuuka Henry, Mayanja Harriet. Integrating faith-based clinics into national TB notification systems in Uganda. BMC Public Health. 2018;18(1):1122.

10.World Health Organization, Regional Office for South-East Asia. Addressing leprosy stigma through religious engagement in Nepal and India. New Delhi: WHO SEARO; 2010.

11.Van Klinken Adriaan. Faith-based counseling for HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Theology Sex. 2013;19(2):144–159.

12.The Indian Express. Gurudwaras offer oxygen langars amid COVID-19 crisis. The Indian Express. 2021 Apr 25.

13.Rajagopal Muralidharan, Kumar Sarita, Mony Prem, George Rajeev. Palliative care through religious networks in Kerala. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2016;52(4):559–566.