Prayer in Iranian cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

UNLABELLED Chronic illnesses such as cancer are very stressful events and prayer is a valuable coping strategy for Muslim cancer patients. This study was conducted to assess the impact of prayer in Iranian cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted on 360 cancer patients over 20 years of age who were able to read and write. Data collection employed Meraviglia's prayer questionnaire. Mean scores of prayer activity, prayer experience and attitude toward prayer were, respectively, (94.5+/-12.98), (51.2+/-7.49) and (38.2+/-4.84). Mean of total scores was (184.05+/-21.67). Significant relationships were observed between age, marital status and educational level with prayer activity, prayer experience and attitude toward prayer (P< or = 0.001). Also the relationship between sex and prayer activity was significant (P< or = 0.01). CONCLUSION Individual characteristics had an important effect on prayer. It is suggested that health care providers can augment holistic care to these patients by encouraging prayer.