Psychological Factors, Health Behaviors, and Reproductive Behaviors of Muslim Women from the Perspectives of Muslim Women, Surrounding Individuals, Muslim Experts in Islamic Religion and Public Health Personnel: A Case Study of the Tha-It and Koh Kret Communities, Nonthaburi Province

Abstract

The Psychological Factors, Health Behaviors, and Reproductive Behaviors of Muslim Women from the Perspectives of Muslim Women, Surrounding Individuals, Muslim Experts in Islamic Religion and Public Health Personnel. The study is conducted as a case study in the Tha-It and Ko Kret communities of Nonthaburi province, Thailand. The objectives aimed to 1) explore The Psychological Factors, Health Behaviors, and Reproductive Behaviors of Muslim Women from the Perspectives of Muslim Women, Surrounding Individuals, Muslim Experts in Islamic Religion and Public Health Personnel, and 2) examine the predictive relationships among psychological factors, health behaviors, and reproductive behaviors of Muslim women. This research was a pilot study using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative research tools included questionnaires on psychological factors, health behaviors, and reproductive behaviors of Muslim women, all with item-objective congruence (IOC) scores above .67. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the instruments were .923, .869, and .876, respectively. The qualitative tool was an in-depth interview guide for Muslim women, their significant others, Islamic studies experts, and public health personnel, with IOC scores above .67. The quantitative sample comprised 50 Muslim women of reproductive age. The qualitative sample included 22 participants: 7 Muslim women, 10 significant others, 4 local Islamic studies experts, and 1 public health professional. Data were collected in October 2023 using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation to examine relationships among variables, and stepwise multiple regression to determine predictive relationships. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.

 The findings revealed that; 1) Muslim women had moderate levels of psychological factors, with high motivation to engage in reproductive behaviors. Motivation for health behavior was influenced by self, spouse, children, and family members. Attitudes and beliefs were at a moderate level, largely shaped by religious principles and community norms. Decision-making regarding behaviors was also moderate, with husbands being the primary decision-makers. 2) Muslim women exhibited high levels of health and reproductive behaviors. Health practices emphasized food hygiene, though high-fat and coconut milk-rich foods were commonly consumed, and exercise was not preferred. Reproductive behaviors followed medical treatment plans, conformed to Islamic principles for contraception, and abortion or sterilization was undertaken only when medically necessary. 3) Psychological factors, health behaviors, and reproductive behaviors were significantly positively correlated. 4) Psychological factors and health behaviors significantly predicted reproductive behaviors, explaining 49.5% of the variance.

 Recommendations: Health promotion for Muslim women should emphasize community and religious leader engagement, integrating Islamic principles to support positive health and reproductive behaviors.