What Happens When Faith Meets Health?

What Happens When Faith Meets Health? Lessons from Thatta and Matiari (Sindh, Pakistan)

Written by Ali Hussaini, Centre for IMPACT Community Engagement and Involvement Co-Lead. Reviewed by stakeholders. 

Improving heart health is not just about medicine, it’s about trust, culture, and community. 

While executing our MCHI research project on high blood pressure control in Thatta and Matiari in Sindh, Pakistan, our male recruitment rate was considerably lower than female recruitment rate. The timing of this observation coincided with Ramadan when people visit mosques more regularly than other months of the year. So, we approached local religious leaders to help us in improving our recruitment rates. 

Consulting trusted voices

Local religious leaders suggested sharing health messages through mosque announcements, where people already listen and trust the speaker. In addition, they shared practical ideas like setting up small blood pressure check points outside mosques and encouraging healthier food choices during Iftar and other religious ceremonies, such as more fruits and less fried food. 

They also recommended using simple Sindhi language for our flyers and health messages so people can clearly understand information about blood pressure and why the study matters, as well as avoiding pictures and images in religious spaces. We heard the same suggestions in both Thatta and Matiari, which showed us these ideas fit well with the local culture.

This experience taught us that real change happens when we work closely with communities, listen to their advice, and use trusted spaces like mosques to share important health messages in a way that people understand and accept.

How this changed our approach

Based on feedback from local religious leaders, we made some changes to how we worked. We worked with mosque leaders to share short health messages after prayers, encouraging people to learn about blood pressure and take part in the study. 

We also tested the idea of setting up small blood pressure check points outside mosques and encouraged healthier food choices during Iftar. These changes helped us connect better with the community, build trust, and increase interest, especially among men. 

This experience showed us that working closely with communities and listening to their advice leads to better and more effective health work.