The religious factors influencing the health-seeking behaviour of the Jehovah's Witnesses' in Johannesburg (Gauteng Province)

Abstract

The religious factors influencing health-seeking behaviours differ from one culture to another. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that since humans are made by God, human life is the result of a Divine creation (Sarteschi, 2008:500). The perception of blood transfusions among the Jehovah’s witnesses, often results in conflict between the witnesses and medical professionals (Wong, 2012:129). The Divine law is applicable to all mankind, since it originated long before the Hebrew nation and no Israelite was permitted to consume blood (Sarteschi, 2008:500). Christians see the blood of God as sacred because it is seen as the power of redemption, atonement, sanctification and purification. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that blood transfusions violate the Divine law (Doyle, 2002:417).

This study was conducted against this backdrop. The aim of this study was to explore the religious factors influencing health-seeking behaviours of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Johannesburg. This study utilised a qualitative research approach. The researcher focussed on the experiences of Jehovah’s Witnesses by employing a phenomenological design which allowed the participants to reminisce on their lived experiences. The study was therefore exploratory and descriptive in scope and semi-structured one-on-one interviews, an interview schedule and voice recordings of the interviews with the permission of the participants, were used to collect data.

The findings revealed that Jehovah’s Witnesses see the blood of God as sacred because it is seen as the power of redemption, atonement, sanctification and purification. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that blood transfusions violate the Divine law. All the Jehovah’s Witnesses interviewed emphasised that they live strictly according to scriptures found in the Bible. The researcher therefore concludes that guidelines are provided by the scriptures, which form the basis of the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ belief system and should therefore be respected as such by all medical professionals Jehovah’s Witnesses are prudent when it comes to medical interventions. They do not simply take a diagnosis at face value and would prefer to get different opinions from medical practitioners if they do not agree with the treatment option suggested. According to the participants they do not hesitate to seek medical help for common ailments, but when it comes to medical procedures that might infringe on their religious beliefs, they are much more prudent and would rather live according to God’s will. In conclusion, Jehovah’s Witnesses take medical intervention seriously, but are not as prudent when it comes to general health care. Medical professionals should take utmost care when deciding to administer blood to an unwilling or unknowing Jehovah’s Witness patient, as they will experience severe emotional anguish after the procedure, which might even lead to legal actions against the medical professional.

The participants emphasised that they are encouraged to live a healthy lifestyle. Among the Jehovah’s Witnesses it is believed that a healthy lifestyle will have a positive impact on all spheres of their life – physical, mental and spiritual. In conclusion, the Jehovah’s Witnesses aim to prevent life threatening situations caused by disease and illness by living healthy and active lives. They aim to stimulate themselves emotionally, physically and spiritually in order to live a good life and doing their best to live according to God’s will. They also have different views on what type of medical intervention would be acceptable to them, as long as it is based on God’s will. Even though the Jehovah’s Witnesses do not ‘seclude’ themselves from the general community, they do value community support from fellow Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is noted that brothers and sisters from the congregation would provide spiritual support when a Jehovah’s Witness falls ill. It has been noted that the Jehovah’s Witnesses have various opinions regarding health. It is understood that each individual has the right to determine their own stance regarding certain medical interventions, as long as it does not infringe on God’s will. They take own responsibility for their choices and are respected for that. To conclude this theme, Jehovah’s Witnesses move within ‘regular circles’ and are not a separate community on its own. However, due to the fact that they have a very particular value system that might not always be accepted by secular people, they rely on the community support from their church elders and fellow brothers and sisters. They will often visit each other if someone in a Jehovah’s Witness family falls ill or is going through a trauma. They have the support of their hospital liaison committee that consists of knowledgeable elders who will lobby on their behalf at hospitals, regarding what is acceptable for Jehovah’s witnesses.