One novel virus, different beliefs as playmakers towards disease spread in Africa: looking at COVID-19 from a religious lens.

Edward Kwabena Ameyaw,John Elvis Hagan,Abdul-Aziz Seidu,Thomas Schack,Bright Opoku Ahinkorah

doi:10.11604/pamj.2020.36.365.25114

Abstract

Religious and spiritual observances that draw large people together are pervasive in many parts of the world, including Africa. With the recent emergence of COVID-19, these mass religious gatherings may pose significant threats to human health. Given the compromised healthcare systems in many parts of Africa, faith-based institutions have a huge responsibility towards the management of the potential spread of the virus through effective organizational strategies or interventions. This essay sheds light on what the novel virus has to do with religion, the role of religious practices in inhibiting or spreading COVID-19, and what appropriate evidence-based interventions religious or faith-based organizations could adopt to help prevent the spread of the disease in Africa through a unity of thoughts for religious action.

Highlights

Potential spread of COVID-19 through religious gatherings: religious and/or spiritual orientation and finding time for related behaviours are pervasive and structure the lives of nationals from the sub-region
The current essay provides an overview by linking the novel virus with religion, the potential impact of religious practices in inhibiting or facilitating the spread of COVID-19, and what appropriate evidence-based interventions religious or faith-based organizations could employ to prevent the spread of the disease in Africa
Notwithstanding the prevalence of belief in God, Allah or a deity, not all people believe, and believers vary markedly due to their faith and as well have variance in religious practice between the public and private realm [7, 8]

Summary

Introduction

The current essay provides an overview by linking the novel virus with religion, the potential impact of religious practices in inhibiting or facilitating the spread of COVID-19, and what appropriate evidence-based interventions religious or faith-based organizations could employ to prevent the spread of the disease in Africa. Potential spread of COVID-19 through religious gatherings: religious and/or spiritual orientation and finding time for related behaviours are pervasive and structure the lives of nationals from the sub-region.

Results

Conclusion