Impact of Religious Beliefs on Health-Seeking Behaviour and Healthcare Outcomes in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Religious beliefs significantly influence health-seeking behaviour and healthcare outcomes in Nsukka, Enugu State, shaping how individuals perceive illness and approach medical interventions. This study aimed to examine the impact of religious beliefs on health behaviour, with four specific objectives guiding the research. Data were collected through in-depth interviews from 26 respondents, including residents from various religious backgrounds—primarily Christians and Muslims—and healthcare providers, using simple random sampling techniques. Four theories were reviewed, and two were adopted as the theoretical framework, while thematic analysis was employed for data analysis. The findings revealed a dual reliance on faith and medical care among many respondents; while some believed in the power of prayer and spiritual healing, often seeking religious intervention before hospital visits, others emphasized balancing faith with professional medical treatment, acknowledging the necessity of healthcare for physical ailments. Based on these findings, the study recommends fostering collaboration between healthcare providers and religious leaders to promote accurate health information within faith communities, integrating health education into religious gatherings, addressing financial barriers through subsidized healthcare policies, and launching public awareness campaigns to highlight the dangers of extreme religious practices while encouraging a balanced approach to faith and medicine. Furthermore, religious organizations should be encouraged to invest more in healthcare initiatives such as free medical checkups and health seminars, while additional research should explore the relationship between religion and health-seeking behaviour across other regions to inform broader public health strategies.