The Effects of Islamic Beliefs, Praying, and Reading holy Quran on Depression in the Patients with End Stage Renal Disease

Chronic renal failure can negatively affect the patients’ mental status. Besides, depression is one of the most common psychological disorders in these patients. The current study aimed to survey the prevalence of depression and determine the effect of Islamic beliefs, praying, and reading holy Quran on mental status in the patients with chronic renal failure. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 142 patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) on HD in Namazi and Shahid Faghihi dialysis centers, Shiraz, Iran. The severity of depression was assessed using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The effects of Islamic beliefs, praying, and reading holy Quran were evaluated, as well. Then, the data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software. The study results showed that 101 participants (74.8%) were depressed (BDI score>15). In addition, 85% of the non-depressed participants tended to read holy Quran, pray, recourse to the prophets, and follow the Islamic beliefs. Moreover, the depressed patients who had religious beliefs had lower levels of depression compared to the others. In conclusion, the study results revealed that religious beliefs were effective in reduction of the patients’ depression and improvement of their mental status. Religious beliefs improve the individuals’ mental health through various mechanisms. Besides, hope, motivation, and optimism which exist in religion strengthen the individuals’, particularly chronic patients’, mental health.