RELIGIOSITY AND ITS RELATION TO BLOOD PRESSURE AMONG SELECTED KUWAITIS

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between blood pressure and the religious practices of Kuwaitis as members of a Muslim society. Religious variables were measured via a sociocultural questionnaire. Blood pressure measurements were taken with a sphygmomanometer. Non-opportunistic samples were taken from 223 Kuwaitis. The difference in religious commitment between Muslim Sunnis and Muslim Shiites was examined using a t-test. Matrix correlation was used to examine the relationship between religious commitment and some other variables. Multiple regression was conducted to determine the effect of religiosity on blood pressure, as well as statistically controlling for other variables such as body mass index, socioeconomic status, smoking, gender and age. It was found that both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were affected by religious commitment and religious activities.