The Development of Azan Model for Muslim Newborns in Yala Hospital

Abstract

Background: The Azan ritual for Muslim newborns is a pivotal religious practice to welcome a new family member, involving the recitation of the Azan in the right ear and the Iqamah in the left ear immediately after birth. To address spiritual needs, the researcher developed a concrete supportive model to integrate religious beliefs with clinical safety standards, and enhance early father–infant bonding.

Objective: 1) To explore the situation and needs, 2) to develop Azan model, and 3) to evaluate the effectiveness of Azan model at Yala Hospital.

Materials and Methods: This Research and Development (R&D) study consisted of three phases: 1) situation and needs assessment through in-depth interviews with fathers, nurses, and Islamic scholars; 2) model development; and 3) effectiveness evaluation among 35 Muslim fathers and 18 registered nurses. Research instruments included a father-infant bonding questionnaire, clinical complication records, and a model feasibility survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: The developed "Azan Bonding Model" consists of four components: 1) Assessment & Safety Readiness, 2) Zeal & Bonding Readiness, 3) Azan Performance, and 4) Nursing Facilitation & Cultural Support. Following implementation, fathers reported the highest level of bonding            (  = 4.79, SD = 0.20), particularly in interest and attachment. Notably, zero clinical complications were observed (100%). Registered nurses expressed the highest level of agreement with the model (  = 4.62, SD = 0.50).

Conclusions: The Azan Bonding Model successfully harmonizes religious faith with clinical safety standards. It transforms paternal anxiety into pride and utilizes the ritual as a vital starting point for strengthening the father-infant bond from the first minutes of life. This innovation serves as a model for culturally responsive healthcare, enhancing nursing staff confidence and fostering sustainable trust in the healthcare system within multicultural communities.