Health Practices Across Cultures Research Paper

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Reproduction and Sexual Health Promotion among Muslim Women in Pelvic Examinations

Contemporary research publications are increasingly acknowledging the influence of culture and religion on reproductive and sexual health (Arousell & Carlbom, 2016). The religious influences can partly explain the disparities in reproductive and sexual health outcomes. Religions such as Islam reflect upon the meaning of sexuality and provide a framework of what is considered bad or good sexuality, characteristics of female and male sexuality, and family planning strategies (Arousell & Carlbom, 2016). Pelvic exams are among the topics considered controversial among the Muslim community as their integrity is mostly questioned. This paper explores the impact of Islam on the relationship between healthcare providers and female patients, highlighting approaches to ensure that pelvic exams are conducted while respecting the needs of the Muslim patients.

Challenges of Conducting Pelvic Exams among Young Muslim Women

Studies indicate that most young Muslim women are under-informed about reproductive and sexual health. The lack of education mostly stems from unpreparedness of educators to handle the reproductive health issue and the stigma in modern Muslim society that characterize public discussions of reproductive and sexual health (Farringdon, Holgate, McIntyre & Bulsara, 2014). Muslim women prefer being examined by a physician of the same sex and religion and would only agree to be examined by a doctor of the opposite sex if the procedure involves exposure of just the necessary amount of skin. Therefore, it is crucial that female physicians attend to Muslim women and if it is not possible, the medical team should find a solution together with the patients.

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Clinicians consider pelvic examinations quite important for identifying benign uterine conditions. The discovery of benign ovarian masses remains advantageous to circumvent emergency surgeries in the future like torsion and rupture. The benefits of the pelvic exams notwithstanding, most adolescents between the ages of 13 and 21 are uncomfortable at the mention of future vaginal exams or Pap smears (Vahabi & Lofters, 2016). The current recommendations for Pap smear are to start at the age of 21 years and if negative, repeat every three years until the age of 30 then repeats every five years. Women also require pelvic exams if they have painful intercourse or abdominal pain, genital itching, a change in smell emanating from the vagina, a change in vaginal discharge, or growth in their genital area.

Studies have indicated a lower uptake of cancer screening services among Muslim women mostly due to the religious constraints. According to Vahabi and Lofters (2016), some Muslim women associate cervical cancer with promiscuity and even consider it a disease transmitted sexually. Therefore, they argue that they are at a reduced risk of acquiring the condition since they only have one partner and do not participate….....

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