The Palgrave handbook of religion, health and development in Africa / Susan M. Kilonzo, Ezra Chitando, editors.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Kilonzo, Susan, editor.

Chitando, Ezra, editor.

Series:

Springer Nature reference

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Economic development--Africa--Religious apsects.

Economic development.

Health--Religious aspects.

Health.

Medicine--Africa--Religious aspects.

Medicine.

Medicine--Religious aspects.

Africa.

Physical Description:

1 online resource : illustrations (some color).

Other Title:

Handbook of religion, health and development in Africa

Religion, health and development in Africa

Place of Publication:

Cham, Switzerland : Palgrave Macmillan, [2026]

Summary:

"This book explains the context of disease, wellbeing and medical practices in Africa, and importantly, how these are influenced by religion (including African ways of belief), spirituality, and faith-based institutions, in relation to healthcare practices. By doing so the handbook explores both positive and negative roles of religion, spirituality, and faith-based institutions in individual and communal health. The book investigates how religion as a non-state agency drives the agenda for wellbeing, in the light of Africa having a disease burden of malaria, Tuberculosis, HIV, and sporadic pandemics such as Ebola and more recently, COVID-19. The book also takes a look at how African Indigenous Religions, Christianity, Islam, and other religions in Africa, continue to shape attitudes towards sexual and reproductive health and rights, particularly among adolescents, youth and women. It examines poverty as a major determinant of poor health in the continent, and how religion and religious institutions therefore play a crucial role in provision complementary and supplementary healthcare services. And ultimately shows how religion/faith-based institutions and health intersect, as well as how this intersection contributes to Africa’s and global development agenda"-- Springer Nature Link.

Contents:

The intersection of religion, health, and development in Africa / Susan M. Kilonzo and Ezra Chitando

The Bible and health in Africa / Lovemore Togarasei

Remembering and reimagining churches’ contributions in the health services sector in Africa : reclaiming the mission of God in Africa / Masiiwa Ragies Gunda

Religion, health, and the sustainable development goals in Africa’s context / David Andrew Omona and Alfred Wonyaka

Religion and spirituality in social work in Africa : implications for health and healing / Anotida Mavuka and Witness Chikoko

The God who answers by fire (1 Kings 18:20–39) : ritual healing innovations in African Pentecostalism / Robert Kuloba Wabyanga

Hybrid health : the implications of Adventism and Luo culture on health practices of the adherents / Kitche Magak

Reevaluation of female circumcision in Islam in Africa / Mohamed Suleiman Mraja

African traditional healers, human flourishing, and development in northern Nigeria / Matthew Michael

Exploring the potential for integrating African traditional and modern healthcare systems in South Africa’s maternal healthcare / Beatrice Dube and Kholofelo Moeng

Sociological perspectives on cultural and religious norms influencing child marriage in South Sudan / Kon K. Madut

African traditional approaches to health care for children born of adolescent mothers in Kenya / Teresia Y. Musembi, Susan M. Kilonzo, and Michael Owiso

Taboo systems in disease control and sound health in Africa / Simon Gisege Omare and Joseph Koech

Learning through past experiences : indigenous responses to pandemics in southern Africa / Mugove Ishmael Chikowero

Religion, mental health, and spiritual direction “Akwankyer?” in Ghana : navigating between “ignorance” and cultural balance / Samuel K. B. Nkrumah-Pobi

Integration of African traditional healing practices to mainstream healthcare in South Africa : insights from indigenous knowledge systems / Mamokete Venolia Setshego and Monicca Thulisile Bhuda

Indigenous food and health sovereignty systems in South Africa : challenges and prospects / Diane Thelma Molokwa and Xholiso Ennocent Khazamula

The intersection of religion, morality, and health in times of pandemics in Africa : a closer look at HIV and AIDS / Gideon B. Byamugisha

Traditional medicine and COVID-19 in Zimbabwe / Molly Manyonganise

Role of religion in the management of Ebola and other pandemics for sustainable development : the case of the Democratic Republic of Congo / Donatien M. Cicura

The politics of knowledge on COVID-19 indigenous medicine in Uganda / Alexander Paul Isiko and Gyaviira Kisitu

Climate change, religion, health, and structural violence in Zimbabwe / Vincent Chenzi, Norman Chivasa, and Nyasha Trishia Murau

Reading the Bible for health, well-being, and development in Africa : the case of the HIV/AIDS epidemic / Makomborero Allen Bowa

Communicating sexual and reproductive health through faith-based initiatives : religious leaders as agents of change in Africa / Mutsawashe Chitando

Religion, disease, and healthcare in Africa : navigating vulnerability and violence against women / Kudzi Biri

Conflicts and faith-based humanitarian healthcare services in Nigeria / Dodeye Uduak Williams

Religion and post-conflict humanitarian healthcare : reflections on refugee churches and trauma care in Malawi / Louis Ndekha

Religion and sexual and reproductive health policy in Burundi / Elias Sentamba and Yves Jacket Nsavyimana

At the intersection of religion and access to healthcare : understanding the experiences of the LGBTIQ community in Africa / Sandisiwe S. Masuku and Tonderai Dombo

Religiosity in community living and participation of sub-Saharan Africa older adults / Elias Mpofu, Amos Mareverwa, Juliana Abude-Aribo, and Garikayi Chemhaka

Integrating faith and clinical practice in rural Zambia : religious influences on health behaviors and patient outcomes / Princess Matapo and Daimon Mkandawire

Religion, women’s health, and sustainable development in Zambia : a case of the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) / Nelly Mwale

Family planning and maternal health care among Somali refugee women of Dadaab, Kenya / Newton Kahumbi Maina

Religion, intimate partner violence, and the health implications in Ghana / Edmond Akwasi Agyeman and Seth Tweneboah

Unraveling the impact of religio-cultural beliefs on HIV and AIDS on older women in Botswana / Tshenolo Jennifer Madigele

Adolescent pregnancy in Africa : intersections of religion, health, and development / Scholastica Kaaria and Jackline Makena Mutuma

Religion, masculinity, and the mental health of African men / Oluyinka Ojedokun and Damilola Adebayo

The role of religion among Black men living with prostate cancer in South Africa / Shai Elliot Nkoana

African traditional religions, masculinity, and health / Charles Ebere

Religion and the agency of young people living with HIV in Africa / Brian Muyunga

The role of social, religious, and cultural demands on young men’s sexuality : implications for viral load suppression among boys on ART in Siaya County, Kenya / Simon O. Peter

More than healing the souls : revisiting the partnership between the government and faith-based organizations in the provision of healthcare services in Tanzania / Rodrick Henry and Alexander Makulilo

Doctor Denis Mukwege : a beacon of hope for sustainable development in the DRC / Donatien M. Cicura

Social norms, faith, and safeguarding : promoting the health of adolescent girls and young women in Africa / Ezra Chitando, Scholastica Kaaria, Sheenan Mbau, and Isaiah Onyuka Onyango

Adolescents and young adults and the quest for mental health and well-being : experiences from the African Character Initiation Program (ACIP) / Eunice Kamaara, Emily Choge, Pamela Abuya, Mary Wahome, and Joyce Nyairo

All Africa Conference of Churches and health concerns in Africa / Brian Muyunga

Financing faith-based organizations in the health sector in Africa : urgent responses to global reductions in funding / Ezra Chitando and Mutsawashe Chitando

Leveraging church and public health ambivalence for optimum public health outcomes : a church-driven primary health care approach in Africa / Vhumani Magezi

Jacquineau Azétsop’s legacy in public health advocacy and bioethics in Africa / Elias O. Opongo

Exploring the role of culture and spirituality on the construction of mental health illness by affected families in Bugisu, Uganda / Alice Wabule

Religion as a resource for mental health management for survivors of violent conflicts in Kenya / Susan M. Kilonzo

Human flourishing within Ethiopian faith communities / Lidetu Alemu Kefenie

The Shakahola massacre : gender dynamics and mental health in a religious tragedy / Kitche Magak and Susan M. Kilonzo

Death and burial rites for physical and mental wellness among the Maragoli Christians of western Kenya / Oscar Chabuga Kagali and Susan M. Kilonzo

Projecting the future of religion, health, and development in Africa / Susan M. Kilonzo and Ezra Chitando.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Online resource; title from PDF title page (Springer Nature Link, viewed April 23, 2026).

Other Format:

Print version: Palgrave handbook of religion, health and development in Africa

ISBN:

9783032054647

3032054648

9783031628917

3031628918

OCLC:

1579000518

Publisher Number:

CIPO000351471

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license