ABSTRACT Introduction: Spiritual and religious practices are integral components of life in India and may influence health behaviors and disease outcomes. However, evidence on their role in the control of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes remains limited. This study aimed to assess the association between spiritual/religious practices and control of blood pressure (BP) and blood sugar (BS) among adults with hypertension or diabetes. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural area of Haryana, India, enrolling adults diagnosed with hypertension and/or diabetes for at least 3 months and currently under treatment. Data regarding sociodemographic details, disease history, spiritual perspective scale (SPS), and spiritual/religious practices were collected. Association between these practices and control status of disease was analyzed using logistic regression, inverse probability weighting, and generalized structural equation modeling to explore potential mediators. Results: A total of 804 participants, of whom 721 (89.7%) reported regular spiritual or religious practices. Among participants with hypertension ( n = 663), participants with regular practices had 1.35 times higher odds of BP control (95% confidence interval CI: 0.7–2.586; P = 0.353). A 5-point higher SPS score was associated with 20% higher odds of BP control (adjusted odds ratio aOR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.04–1.40, P = 0.014). Attending regular Satsang was significantly associated with control of BP (aOR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–2.8, P = 0.012). Among participants with diabetes ( n = 409), regular spiritual/religious practices showed no significant association with BS control (aOR = 1.35, 95% CI: 0.7–2.6, P = 0.36). Conclusions: Spiritual and religious practices, particularly attending Satsang, were associated with better BP control but not with BS control.
Misra et al. (Mon,) studied this question.