The cultural and spiritual factors influencing the health-seeking behaviours of the Indian Hindu in Lenasia

Abstract

To ensure social workers advocate for the active participation and inclusion of cultural and spiritual practices and belief systems of patients within the healthcare system. It is essential that social workers develop an understanding and educate themselves on the wide variety of cultures and religions recognised and acknowledged in South Africa. The researcher recognised Hinduism is a culture and religion that is commonly practiced in South Africa and that the Hindu population actively participates and practices in accordance to their culture and religion. Hence, it was in the interest of the researcher to investigate the cultural and spiritual factors that influence the health-seeking behaviours of the Hindu population within the healthcare system.

The goal of the research study was to explore the cultural and spiritual factors influencing the health-seeking behaviours of the Indian Hindu population in Lenasia. The objectives of the research study were to conceptualise and contextualise cultural and spiritual factors influencing health-seeking behaviours from a health belief perspective; to explore and describe the cultural and the spiritual factors influencing the health-seeking behaviours of the Indian Hindu population in Lenasia. Lastly, to make suggestions to improve social work services in health care, taking into consideration the cultural and spiritual factors influencing health-seeking behaviours amongst the Indian Hindu population.

The qualitative research approach was appropriate as the researcher utilised applied research, specifically the evidence-based approach, as the approach enabled the researcher to explore and describe cultural and spiritual factors that influence the health-seeking behaviours of the Indian Hindu population within the healthcare system. Furthermore, practical solutions and recommendations for social workers to improve their social work services within the healthcare system specifically working with Indian Hindu population in Lenasia were provided. The instrumental case study design was appropriate for the research study as it enabled the researcher to develop an interview schedule that asked questions which permitted the participants to provide in-depth responses that express their personalised experiences of Hinduism as a culture and religion. The interview schedule contained sections which were as follows; Biographic information, knowledge of health care seeking behaviour, understanding of cultural and spiritual practices within your cultural/ethnic/spiritual group, spiritual and cultural factors, health-seeking behaviour and the family, services, social work intervention and, lastly, recommendations. The different sections in the interview schedule enabled the researcher to ask questions that were aligned with the goal and objectives of the research study.

The population of the research study encompassed of the Indian Hindu population in South Africa and the specific study population for the research study was the Indian Hindu population that resides in the Lenasia community in Gauteng province. The non-probability sampling was appropriate as it enabled the researcher to utilise the purposive sampling method as the method enabled the researcher to develop a selection criterion that selected participants in accordance to the goal of the research study. The snowballing technique was appropriate as the researcher utilised a schoolteacher in Lenasia who referred participants that were in accordance to the selection criteria of the research study.

Face-to-face interviews and telephone interviews were conducted to collect the data from the participants. The total number of participants interviewed for the research study were twelve participants which encompassed of nine female participants and three male participants. The participants were between the ages of 43-years-old and 74-years-old. A total of three participants were able to participate through face-to-face interviews. Due to the National lockdown in South Africa the researcher was unable to continue the face-to-face interviews. The most appropriate and applicable data collection was telephone interviews and were utilised to conduct the remaining nine interviews.

The Health Belief Model (HBM) was the appropriate model for the research study as the model provides evidence to help develop expertise towards cultural and spiritual factors that influence the health-related decision making of patients. Based on the findings, the model guided the researcher to understand and acknowledge that cultural and spiritual factors play an essential role and influence the health behaviours of the Indian Hindu population within healthcare perspective. The self-efficacy of the participants was acknowledged, as their cultural beliefs and practices enable them to practice healthy living through healthy eating by means of a vegetarian diet, engaging in yoga and meditation and physical activity. The utilisation of home herbal remedies through use of daily household ingredients and the above-mentioned health-seeking behaviours, enable the participants to maintain and control their non-communicable diseases. The HBM referred to perceived benefits in which the participants share the accessibility and availability of family elders, priests, and Gurus within their family system, which permits them to receive valuable health advice and spiritual guidance with healthcare-related issues. The participants have family members who are medical professionals and three of the participants are medical professionals themselves, which enables each family system to have access to adequate healthcare. Access to a healthcare professional in the family system permits the participants to practice positive health-seeking behaviours and seek medical assistance for emergency and annual check-ups. Hindu believers do acknowledge that their vegetarian diet does come with health complications such as Iron deficiency and a lack of Vitamin B12, hence, they do consume medical supplements and medication for their deficiencies and modify their diet according to these deficiencies. The participants expressed there is a wide variety of healthcare systems within Lenasia: public clinics, private hospitals, and accessibility and availability to complementary and alternative healthcare services. Although, there is accessibility of healthcare services, the participants strongly believe that community members without medical aid, rely heavily on Chris Hani Baragwanath Academia Hospital for medical services and receive specialised services in surrounding areas.

Therefore, it was concluded that healthcare professionals and social workers need to take into consideration that the Indian Hindu population in Lenasia has access to medical professionals within the family system and practice healthy living. Moreover, the practice and utilisation of complementary and alternative healthcare treatments and procedures such as Allopathic, Homeopathic, Acupuncture, Ayurveda and Aromatherapy is common within the Lenasia community. Additionally, the researcher has identified that Hinduism is a culture and religion that permits flexibility and permits its believers to engage in health-seeking behaviours within the healthcare system and receive essential medical treatment. Hindu families pray and meditate as a family system; thus, making it easier for them to follow a healthy lifestyle and practice Hindu health-seeking behaviours that produce positive health outcomes for the family and the patient.

Hinduism as culture and religion live and practice according to a life of Karma, which is the law of cause and effect. The participants suggested social workers should be diverse and open towards the different cultures and religions especially the practices, rituals, and belief systems of Hindus.

Based on these conclusions, it is recommended that healthcare professionals and social work professionals should be aware that Hinduism is an open and flexible culture and religion that integrates cultural and spiritual practices and beliefs together with a medical approach. Furthermore, an awareness needs to be created that Indian Hindu patients should be permitted to seek spiritual guidance from their priests and Gurus, be knowledgeable and that the family system plays an essential role in healthcare related decision-making.

Key concepts: Behaviour, Cultural factors, Indian Hindu, Influence, Health seeking behaviours, Hinduism, Religion, Spiritual factors