To fast or not to fast during the month of Ramadan? A comprehensive survey on religious beliefs and practices among Moroccan diabetic patients

Abstract

Background

Diabetes represents a major public health concern. According to the International Diabetes Federation, about 8%–9% of the population have diabetes, and rates are even higher among Muslim communities. Despite the risks, about half (43%) with type 1 diabetes and most (86%) of those with type 2 diabetes fast during Ramadan. However, there is a dearth of information concerning the determinants that drive diabetic people to fast. Therefore, the present study was designed to fill this gap in knowledge.

Materials and methods

A sample of 201 subjects volunteered to take part in this study. Mean age was 45.39±15.74 years. Most participants were female, married and had received at least primary education. They fasted for 22.98±8.53 days.

Results

For the overall questionnaire, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was found to be excellent (α=0.910). The coefficient was good, yielding a value of 0.879, for the items concerning Ramadan fasting beliefs and practices, whereas the subscale for religious beliefs and practices obtained a score of 0.847. At the univariate analysis, patients with complicated diabetes (n=66, 32.8% of the sample) fasted for 20.77±9.21 days vs subjects with diabetes (n=135, 67.2% of the interviewees), who fasted for 24.05±7.99 days. The difference was statistically significant (P=0.014). The multivariate analysis indicated that religious beliefs and practices influenced the number of fasting days in a statistically significant way, after adjusting for confounders (beta coefficient =−0.199, t=−2.917, P=0.004). Another variable that impacted on the number of fasting days was the presence of complications (beta coefficient=−0.194, t=−2.775, P=0.006).

Conclusion

Our results warrant further studies in the field.

Introduction

Diabetes represents a major public health concern. According to the International Diabetes Federation, about 8%–9% of the population suffer from diabetes,^1,2 and rates are even higher among Muslim communities. For instance, the North African region as a whole has the second highest comparative prevalence of diabetes (10.7%) vs a rate of 6.7% in Europe and a rate of only 4.5% in Africa.³ Furthermore, six Muslim countries, like Kuwait (21.1%), Lebanon (20.2%), Qatar (20.2%), Saudi Arabia (20.0%), Bahrain (19.9%) and United Arabian Emirates (19.2%), are among the top 10 countries in terms of diabetes-related burden.³ Other Muslim countries, such as Egypt, Bangladesh, and Indonesia, have similar high rates of diabetes prevalence.⁴

Despite the risks, about half (43%) with type 1 diabetes and most (86%) of those with type 2 diabetes are eager to fast during Ramadan. Approximately 50% of the whole population of diabetic patients did not change their lifestyle during Ramadan, whereas the other half of patients tend to decrease physical activity, sleep duration, and food, sugar, and fluid intake.⁵

Ramadan fasting represents one of the five pillars of the Islam creed. Even though patients are exempted from observing this religious duty, they may be eager to share this particular moment of the year with their family and peers.^6,7 However, other factors can influence the decision to fast, such as guilty feelings, the sensation of shame, stigma, familial and societal pressure.⁸

Fasting during Ramadan has been uniformly discouraged by the medical profession and by the scientific community for patients suffering from diabetes. The large, multi-country, population-based epidemiological study “Epidemiology of Diabetes and Ramadan 1422/2001” (EPIDIAR) conducted in 13 Islamic countries on a sample of 12,243 diabetics (1,070 with type 1 diabetes and 11,173 with type 2 diabetes) who fasted during Ramadan showed a high rate of acute complications, such as hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, dehydration, and thrombosis, among others.⁵

These findings have been replicated by other high-quality epidemiological surveys, such as the CREED study.⁶

However, there is a dearth of information concerning the determinants that drive diabetic people to fast during the month of Ramadan. Therefore, given the importance of this topic, the present study was designed to fill this gap in knowledge.

Materials and methods

Instrument

For the present survey, an ad hoc questionnaire was devised based on an expert panel, literature review, and focus groups with a small sample of 20–30 Moroccan diabetics among whom the questionnaire administration was pilot tested. The items were checked for readability and clarity. The final version comprised 40 items, subdivided into two subscales (one concerning Ramadan fasting beliefs and practices and another related to religious beliefs and practices).

A brief section of the questionnaire aimed at collecting basic sociodemographic information, namely, gender, age, occupation (working/not working), family status (married, unmarried), educational level (primary, secondary, or tertiary education), and eventual complications of the diabetes/comorbidities.

Statistical analysis

Before proceeding with data handling and processing, all figures were visually inspected for potential outliers. Normality of data was verified by conducting the D’Agostino-Pearson omnibus test. Based on the normal distribution, parametric or nonparametric tests were chosen and performed (namely, Student’s t-test, ANOVA, Kruskall–Wallis test, the Mann– Whitney U test, and chi-squared test).

Reliability was quantitatively assessed by computing the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. In order to properly interpret the magnitude of the alpha coefficient, the following rule of thumb was used: the reliability/consistency was deemed excellent if the coefficient was greater than 0.9, good with the coefficient in the range 0.8–0.9, acceptable in the range 0.7–0.8, questionable or adequate in the range 0.6–0.7, poor in the range 0.5–0.6, and unacceptable if the coefficient was less than 0.5.

Pearson’s coefficient (r coefficient) was calculated. The strength of correlation was measured using the rule of thumb described by Hinkle et al:⁷ negligible correlation with r coefficient in the range 0.00–0.30, low correlation with r in the range 0.30–0.50, moderate correlation with r in the range 0.50–0.70, high correlation with r in the range 0.70–0.90, and very high correlation with r in the range 0.90–1.00.

All statistical analyses were carried out with the commercial software SPSS for Windows, version 24 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA).

Figures with P-values less than 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.

Ethical clearance

The study protocol of the present investigation was reviewed and approved by the Ethical Committee of the Faculty of Literature and Humanistic Studies, Sais, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco. All the procedures followed in the current article adhere to the 1964 Helsinki statement and its subsequent amendments. Each participant signed a written consent form. In case the subject was under the legal age for the consent, parental/legal guardian informed consent was sought and obtained. Participation was on a voluntary basis.

Results

A sample of 201 subjects suffering from type 2 diabetes volunteered to take part in this study. Mean age was 45.39±15.74 years (range from 14 to 85 years, median 45 years). Most participants were female (n=118, 58.7% of the sample), married (n=138, 68.7%), and had received at least primary education (n=95, 47.3%). They fasted for 22.98±8.53 days (range from 5 to 30 days, median 30 days). Further details are shown in Table 1.

Table 1.

Characteristics of the recruited sample

Parameter	Value
Age (years)	45.39±15.74
Gender (number, %)
Male	83 (41.3%)
Female	118 (58.7%)
Family status (number, %)
Married	138 (68.7%)
Not married	63 (31.3%)
Educational level (number, %)
Primary	95 (47.3%)
Secondary	75 (37.3%)
Tertiary	31 (15.4%)
Type of disease (number, %)
Diabetes	135 (67.2%)
Diabetes with cardiovascular complications	12 (6.0%)
Diabetes and hypertension	48 (23.9%)
Diabetes and other chronic disorders	6 (3.0%)
Occupation (number, %)
Not working/unemployed	59 (29.4%)
Working	142 (70.6%)
Number of fasting days	22.98±8.53

Scores obtained for each item (reported in Table 2) are shown in Table 3. Skewness and kurtosis values were deemed acceptable as well as the sampling adequacy.

Table 2.

The items of the ad hoc questionnaire, designed and developed to investigate Ramadan fasting as well as other religious beliefs and practices

Number	Item
Ramadan fasting beliefs and practice subscale
1	I think that Ramadan fasting is a cure for my illness, even though my doctor and my spiritual guide have advised me not to fast
2	I am embarrassed when I have to break the fast of Ramadan in front of people.
3	I do not openly break the fast of Ramadan.
4	I am afraid that I will have problems with others if I do not fast during the month of Ramadan.
5	I consider fasting in Ramadan, despite my illness, increases closeness to God.
6	I do not think that the first obligation to fast is to carefully listen to doctor’s advice.
7	I feel that I can fast because my illness and/or my age have not yet reached an advanced stage.
8	I think that whoever dies while fasting, even though it would not be permissible to fast for him/her (eg, due to sickness), is in the order of the martyrs with God.
9	I think that I can openly break the Ramadan fast only with my family and people with whom I have an intimate relationship.
10	I am afraid that I will be at risk of dying during the Ramadan fasting.
11	I am at risk of complications or of death because of fasting as I do not adhere to the doctor’s advice.
12	I accept to increase the symptoms of the disease during fasting in the month of Ramadan.
13	I believe that preserving religion is more important than self-preservation.
14	I think the doctor’s advice not to fast is not binding.
15	I consider the position of medicine which allows me not to fast contrary to the Shariah (Islamic law).
16	I would feel guilty if I would follow the shuyukh, fuqahā, a’immah (spiritual guides/leaders)’s advice, who have permitted me not to fast.
17	I feel bad when I break the fast.
18	When I break the fast, I feel that others are looking at me with contempt.
19	I think that the permission of the shuyukh, fuqahā, a’immah (spiritual guides/leaders) for me not to fast during the month of Ramadan is not obligatory.
20	I do not accept that a person breaks the fast in front of me while I am still fasting.
Religious beliefs and practice subscales
21	I try to pray all my prayers in the mosque.
22	I am committed to praising and making supplications, after every prayer.
23	I am committed to reading the Qur’an on a daily basis.
24	I abide by honesty and integrity in dealing with all people.
25	I consider that Islam is the true religion that should be observed in all its teachings and precepts.
26	I consider my sickness to be from God in order to strengthen my faith.
27	I think that God is the healer alone and there is no need for medicine.
28	I think that my life and my health are entirely in God’s hands and are not influenced by whether or not I take drugs.
29	I believe that the Qur’an will heal all physical diseases.
30	I believe that the righteous are engaged in reciting the Qur’an and doing supplication, without having the need for taking medication.
31	I believe that it is faith in Islam that relieves my suffering from disease.
32	I think that Islam is the main reason I do not believe in suicide.
33	When the pain of the disease is overwhelming, there is nothing more powerful and effective than the prayer.
34	I believe that faith positively affects both my mental and physical health.
35	I can only get sick or worse with medication.
36	I am worried when God does not respond to my call for healing.
37	When I have to face a problem in my life, I think it is a penalty for a bad deed I have committed.
38	I consider the teachings and precepts of Islam to be inspiring and guiding my daily behavior.
39	I think the problems we are experiencing in this age are because of the distance from Islam.
40	I believe that Islam is the path of salvation and eternal happiness.

Table 3.

Descriptive statistics of each item of the questionnaire

Item	Mean	SD	Skewness		Kurtosis
			Statistics	Standard error	Statistics	Standard error
Item 1	2.408	1.401	0.510	0.172	−1.159	0.341
Item 2	3.005	1.512	0.079	0.172	−1.459	0.341
Item 3	3.189	1.471	−0.189	0.172	−1.364	0.341
Item 4	2.960	1.236	−0.052	0.172	−0.902	0.341
Item 5	3.323	1.323	−0.287	0.172	−1.035	0.341
Item 6	3.015	1.290	−0.268	0.172	−0.965	0.341
Item 7	3.045	1.369	−0.200	0.172	−1.171	0.341
Item 8	3.458	1.253	−0.689	0.172	−0.486	0.341
Item 9	3.229	1.333	−0.427	0.172	−0.962	0.341
Item 10	2.940	1.160	0.098	0.172	−0.739	0.341
Item 11	2.756	1.275	0.072	0.172	−1.085	0.341
Item 12	2.761	1.205	0.020	0.172	−0.896	0.341
Item 13	3.020	1.277	−0.096	0.172	−1.058	0.341
Item 14	2.985	1.447	−0.004	0.172	−1.300	0.341
Item 15	3.110	1.431	−0.029	0.172	−1.387	0.341
Item 16	2.990	1.490	0.036	0.172	−1.401	0.341
Item 17	3.144	1.343	−0.354	0.172	−1.035	0.341
Item 18	3.124	1.449	−0.229	0.172	−1.324	0.341
Item 19	2.896	1.369	−0.152	0.172	−1.256	0.341
Item 20	2.960	1.438	−0.133	0.172	−1.411	0.341
Item 21	3.189	1.181	−0.225	0.172	−0.454	0.341
Item 22	3.547	1.034	−0.128	0.172	−0.480	0.341
Item 23	3.587	0.956	−0.408	0.172	0.237	0.341
Item 24	3.821	0.817	−0.380	0.172	0.012	0.341
Item 25	3.995	0.935	−0.731	0.172	0.377	0.341
Item 26	3.965	0.897	−0.772	0.172	0.786	0.341
Item 27	3.672	1.073	−0.564	0.172	−0.235	0.341
Item 28	3.725	1.169	−0.669	0.172	−0.241	0.342
Item 29	3.826	1.084	−1.005	0.172	0.755	0.341
Item 30	3.537	1.109	−0.673	0.172	0.060	0.341
Item 31	3.622	1.143	−0.781	0.172	0.109	0.341
Item 32	3.692	1.079	−0.565	0.172	−0.249	0.341
Item 33	3.791	1.066	−0.750	0.172	0.075	0.341
Item 34	3.627	1.125	−0.523	0.172	−0.335	0.341
Item 35	3.328	1.154	−0.491	0.172	−0.437	0.341
Item 36	3.313	1.177	−0.501	0.172	−0.443	0.341
Item 37	3.323	1.217	−0.508	0.172	−0.554	0.341
Item 38	3.721	1.180	−0.735	0.172	−0.193	0.341
Item 39	4.020	1.049	−1.065	0.172	0.682	0.341
Item 40	4.110	1.085	−1.286	0.172	1.112	0.341

For the overall questionnaire, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was found to be excellent (α=0.910). The coefficient was good, yielding a value of 0.879 for the items concerning Ramadan fasting beliefs and practices, whereas the subscale for religious beliefs and practices obtained a score of 0.847. Ramadan subscale can be further subdivided into two sections: one containing positive items (namely, items 1, 5 7, 8, and 13), with α=0.769, and one containing negative items, with α=0.836 (comprising the remaining items, which are to be reverse scored). Further details are shown in Table 4. The correlation between the two subscales was found to be moderate, with a coefficient of 0.580 (P<0.001).

Table 4.

Reliability statistics for each item of the questionnaire

Item	Scale mean if item deleted	Scale variance if item deleted	Corrected item-total correlation	Squared multiple correlation	Cronbach’s alpha if item deleted
Item 1	131.310	493.300	0.627	0.724	0.905
Item 2	130.720	487.147	0.670	0.803	0.904
Item 3	130.545	497.727	0.524	0.688	0.906
Item 4	130.770	506.238	0.476	0.595	0.907
Item 5	130.400	496.231	0.614	0.715	0.905
Item 6	130.720	512.806	0.340	0.663	0.909
Item 7	130.685	497.654	0.568	0.743	0.906
Item 8	130.265	507.824	0.439	0.689	0.908
Item 9	130.505	503.980	0.477	0.552	0.907
Item 10	130.790	529.182	0.070	0.594	0.912
Item 11	130.970	545.919	−0.223	0.448	0.916
Item 12	130.960	523.164	0.175	0.481	0.911
Item 13	130.695	505.650	0.472	0.529	0.907
Item 14	130.740	498.274	0.523	0.633	0.906
Item 15	130.620	490.116	0.663	0.780	0.904
Item 16	130.730	488.681	0.657	0.702	0.904
Item 17	130.580	496.948	0.591	0.695	0.906
Item 18	130.605	497.306	0.538	0.590	0.906
Item 19	130.825	499.030	0.545	0.672	0.906
Item 20	130.770	505.957	0.405	0.545	0.908
Item 21	130.535	498.642	0.647	0.766	0.905
Item 22	130.180	511.877	0.455	0.624	0.908
Item 23	130.135	513.303	0.462	0.673	0.908
Item 24	129.900	517.668	0.428	0.529	0.908
Item 25	129.735	511.040	0.529	0.600	0.907
Item 26	129.755	514.387	0.469	0.632	0.908
Item 27	130.055	512.314	0.427	0.677	0.908
Item 28	130.000	510.221	0.429	0.646	0.908
Item 29	129.895	518.265	0.300	0.480	0.909
Item 30	130.190	514.054	0.376	0.533	0.908
Item 31	130.100	515.849	0.329	0.533	0.909
Item 32	130.035	516.305	0.342	0.569	0.909
Item 33	129.935	514.322	0.388	0.547	0.908
Item 34	130.105	515.089	0.351	0.395	0.909
Item 35	130.395	519.486	0.255	0.484	0.910
Item 36	130.415	525.128	0.143	0.563	0.911
Item 37	130.390	517.124	0.285	0.488	0.910
Item 38	130.010	511.105	0.408	0.626	0.908
Item 39	129.695	512.022	0.449	0.591	0.908
Item 40	129.610	510.862	0.453	0.472	0.908

Our questionnaire explores different dimensions such as the perceived risks related to fasting, the sense of guilty and embarrassment of not fasting, and the complex interplay between medical doctors and spiritual guides (“shuyukh”, “fuqahā”, “a’immah”, and other religious leaders).

Concerning the perceived risk, as expressed by the items 12 (“I accept to increase the symptoms of the disease during fasting on the month of Ramadan”), 41 (20.4%) strongly disagreed, 37 (18.4%) disagreed, 67 (33.3%) were neutral, 41 (20.4%) agreed, and 15 (7.5%) strongly agreed. Similarly, for the item 10 (“I am afraid that I will be at risk of dying during the Ramadan fasting”), 23 (11.4%) strongly disagreed, 50 (24.9%) disagreed, 66 (32.8%) were neutral, 40 (19.9%) agreed, and 22 (10.9%) strongly agreed. For the item 11 (“I am at risk of complications or of death because of fasting as I do not adhere to the doctor’s advice”), 45 (22.4%) and 40 (19.9%) strongly disagreed and disagreed, respectively, whereas 53 (26.4%) were neutral, 45 (22.4%) agreed, and 18 (9.0%) strongly agreed with the statement.

Some of the questions of the questionnaire concerned specifically the relationship with Western medicine and drugs: for instance, concerning the item 28 (“I think that my life and my health are entirely in God’s hands and are not influenced whether I take or not drugs”), only 13 (6.5%) subjects strongly disagreed. Other 12 (6.0%) individuals disagreed, whereas 57 (28.4%) were neutral, 53 (26.4%) agreed, and 65 (32.3%) strongly agreed (one answer was not given). Similar patterns were obtained for the item 27 (“I think that God is the healer alone and there is no need for medicine”): 8 (4.0%) and 19 (9.5%) strongly disagreed and disagreed, respectively. Although 54 (26.9%) were neutral, 70 (34.8%) and 50 (24.9%) agreed and strongly agreed, respectively. Another interesting question was raised by item 35 (“I can only get sick or worse with medication”): 20 (10.0%) strongly disagreed, 22 (10.9%) disagreed, 60 (30.0%) were neutral, 70 (34.8%) agreed, and 29 (14.4%) strongly agreed. Similarly, for item 30 (“I believe that the righteous are engaged in reciting the “Qur’an” and doing supplication, without having the need of taking medication”), 16 (8.0%) strongly disagreed, whereas 11 (5.5%) disagreed, 62 (30.8%) were neutral, 73 (36.3%) agreed, and 39 (19.4%) strongly agreed.

For the univariate analysis, patients with complicated diabetes (n=66, 32.8% of the sample) fasted for 20.77±9.21 days vs subjects with diabetes (n=135, 67.2% of the interviewees), who fasted for 24.05±7.99 days. The difference was statistically significant (P=0.014). There was no impact of family status: married and not married individuals fasted for 22.92±8.59 and 23.10±8.44 days, respectively (P=0.913). Similarly, the influence of educational level could not be detected: subjects with tertiary education fasted for 24.19±7.08 days, slightly longer than people with primary or secondary education (22.75±8.76 days; P=0.505). Furthermore, there were no differences in terms of gender: male and female diabetic patients fasted for 23.65±7.84 and 22.50±8.98 days, respectively (P=0.488).

The correlation between the number of fasting days and age was found to be negligible but significant, yielding a value of −0.16 (P=0.024). Similarly, correlations between the number of fasting days and the Ramadan fasting, religious beliefs, and practice subscales and overall scale yielded a coefficient of −0.18 (P=0.010), −0.19 (P=0.007), and −0.21 (P=0.003), respectively.

The results of the multivariate analysis indicated that religious beliefs and practices influenced the number of fasting days in a statistically significant way, after adjusting for confounders (beta standardized coefficient =−0.199, t=−2.917, P=0.004). Another variable that impacted on the number of fasting days was the presence of complications (beta standardized coefficient=−0.194, t=−2.775, P=0.006). For further details, see Table 5. The “negative” section of the Ramadan subscale predicted less fasting days (B nonstandardized coefficient=−0.142, standard error=0.051, beta standardized coefficient=−0.188, t=−2.754, P=0.006), whereas the “positive” section of the subscale did not impact on the number of fasting days (P>0.05). Overall, the Ramadan subscale influenced the number of fasting days (B nonstandardized coefficient=−0.104, standard error =0.039, beta standardized coefficient=−0.183, t=−2.685, P=0.008). Interestingly, higher scores at the religious beliefs and practices predicted less fasting days (B nonstandardized coefficient=−0.134, standard error=0.054, beta standardized coefficient=−0.172, t=−2.471, P=0.014).

Table 5.

Multivariate regression analysis

Parameter	Nonstandardized coefficients		Standardized coefficients	T	Sig.
	B coefficient	SD	Beta coefficient
Constant	38.141	4.303		8.865	0.000
Gender	1.319	1.183	0.076	1.115	0.266
Age	−0.077	0.046	−0.142	−1.658	0.099
Family status	1.928	1.494	0.105	1.290	0.198
Educational level	1.049	1.646	0.045	0.637	0.525
Occupation	1.116	1.324	0.060	0.843	0.400
Diabetic complications and comorbidities	−3.505	1.263	−0.194	−2.775	0.006
Fasting and religious beliefs and practices	−0.074	0.025	−0.199	−2.917	0.004

Discussion

Ramadan represents a unique and extremely popular moment for Muslims worldwide.^8,9 This study contributes to shedding light on the determinants of fasting even though being ill would guarantee the exemption from restraining oneself from food and beverages.

Muslim diabetics have particular healthcare needs. Diabetes is perceived by interviewees through a religious lens as predestined.¹⁰ Western drugs represent only a small fraction of the world, in which it is the faith to play a major role.^11–14 Ramadan should be conceived as a collective ritual, a rite of passage, a transition from adolescence to adulthood, the entrance of the individual into the societal and groupal organization, which is deeply rooted within the Arab-Muslim society.¹⁰ This society attributes great importance to values, such as cohesion. Islam is characterized by different pillars, including the declaration of faith, prayers five times a day, the pilgrimage to Makkah, charity or alms-giving, and the fasting. However, the latter differs significantly from the former ones, in that exposes the Muslim to the sight and presence of other people, and, as such, to their judgments, mockery, and criticisms.¹⁵ Therefore, fasting may be lived with a sense of social obligation or cultural constraint rather than as a religious duty: it is undeniable that Ramadan is a major event that contributes to the construction of the self and to the articulation of one’s own identity.

In the sample we interviewed, the feelings of guilt, shame, and social pressure were strongly perceived and common: 60.7% of the subjects expressed such intense sensations (item 16, “I would feel guilty if I would follow the “shuyukh, fuqahā, a’immah” (spiritual guides/leaders)’s advice, who have permitted me not to fast”).

Intriguingly, a negative relation was found between religious knowledge and observance of fasting: according to the official Islam, a diabetic is, indeed, exempted from fasting and receives benefit if not fasting. According to traditional, low-level magic-religious beliefs,¹⁷ instead, a disorder is interpreted as a divine punition for a sin and fasting represents the best solution for being forgiven by God. Ramadan fasting is not only a duty or an obligation, but it represents a strongly and deeply rooted sociocultural value.

Considering items 27, 28, 30, and 35, it is noteworthy that a percentage of population ranging from 49.2% to 59.7% was skeptical about the role of Western medicine and thinks that taking drugs cannot impact on one’s own health and, in some cases, can even worsen the health status and/or leading to the disease state. Interestingly, at the univariate chi-squared test, there was no impact of educational level except for item 30 (P-values of 0.224, 0.396, 0.001, and 0.540 for items 27, 28, 30, and 35, respectively).

These findings emphasize the importance of providing a proper, effective education for both diabetic patients and medical staff, which needs to receive a culturally sensitive training.¹⁶

Few studies are available for a comparison: these include the investigation carried out by Ababou et al,¹⁷ which have assessed, in a sample of 212 women and 95 men from Casablanca and Fes (Morocco), the intergenerational transmission of religious values and practices, including the fasting during the month of Ramadan, in terms of age group, gender, and generation. Overall, 64% of the patients had fasted for the entire month, whereas 22% of the sample did not fast and 15% fasted partially. Educational level, as well as the marital status, did not show an impact on the decision of fasting, similar to our findings.

Despite its novelty, our study suffers from a number of shortcomings that should be properly recognized. The major limitation is given by the study design (cross-sectional nature) of the investigation, as well as the lack of detailed information concerning the treatment received at baseline and how it was modified during and after the month of Ramadan. Moreover, given the exploratory nature of the study, we used a convenience sample. Further studies should replicate our findings using a longitudinal design and, eventually, also controls (that is to say, diabetics not willing to fast, in order to explore differences between the groups).

Conclusion

The large proportion of both type 1 and type 2 diabetic subjects who wish to fast during Ramadan represent a major challenge for the physicians. Our questionnaire investigating Ramadan fasting beliefs as well as other religious creeds and practices in type 2 diabetics proved to be a valid and reliable instrument that can be used to shed light on the determinants of deciding whether to fast during the month of Ramadan. However, due to the above-mentioned shortcomings, further research in the field is needed.