Research Topic: The realities of religious coping experiences of patients with diabetes mellitus: Implications for policy formulation in Ghana

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic and devastating disease condition associated with high blood glucose level. There are perceived beliefs by patients that diabetes is caused by spiritual forces. Spiritual activities such as prayers, invocations, use of spiritual substances and dependence on Supreme Being among others are also perceived to be the treatments for diabetes. In patients’ efforts to look for spiritual treatment for diabetes, they are abused in diverse ways in pretense of helping them by spiritual healers. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the spiritual coping experiences of patients with diabetes mellitus in a Ghanaian hospital, and to determine implications for policy formulation. Method: Hermeneutic phenomenological approach to qualitative research was employed. Data were audio-recorded from both type 1 and 2 diabetes patients through one-on-one interviews, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using content analysis approach. Results: A disturbing experience as noted by diabetes patients from their spiritual coping encounters were the exploitation and abuse in the form of fasting and over starving by their spiritual healers in deception of healing diabetes. Conclusion: The findings suggest the need to develop stringent health policy to regulate the activities of faith-based or spiritual healers in Ghana. It is recommended that the Ministry of Health in Ghana and other stakeholders should establish surveillance groups to monitor activities of spiritual healers in general.