INVESTIGATING HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS’ AND DIETITIANS’ KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES CONCERNING THE PROVISION OF CULTURALLY SAFE CARE TO MUSLIMS DURING RAMADAN

This dissertation came about from my concern of the ability for healthcare professionals (HCPs), such as Canadian Registered Dietitians (RDs), to provide culturally safe care to the growing Muslim population in Canada. As a Muslim and an RD in Canada, I have witnessed the concerns RDs have in caring for Muslims who fast during Ramadan. I challenge my perceived concerns through exploring what HCPs and RDs attitude, knowledge, and practices (KAP) are regarding the provision of culturally safe care for Muslims. Through a scoping review, eight sources were reviewed on HCPs KAP concerning the provision of care during Ramadan. Following, a study using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was administered to collect quantitative data through a cross-sectional online survey and qualitative data through online focus groups. In March 2023, 159 Canadian RDs completed the online survey, from which descriptive statistics, cross tabulations, and chi-square tests were employed to determine any relationship between categorical variables. In fall 2023, 22 RDs attended three online focus groups to explore their KAP regarding the provision of care to Muslims during Ramadan. Thematic analysis revealed five themes. HCPs in some Western countries felt uncomfortable providing care to Muslims and had limited experience. From the survey results, many HCPs and RDs expressed discomfort providing care and lacked adequate resources. While most HCPs and RDs demonstrated an adequate understanding of Ramadan fasting practices, including its duration and restrictions, some reported not receiving information on culturally safe care from their university education and had questions concerning medication use. A reoccurring theme throughout the focus groups was the perceived gap and need for resources to enhance knowledge and comfort to provide culturally safe care during Ramadan. These findings highlight the need for continuing education opportunities, training, and resources to prepare RDs to feel confident, competent, and comfortable providing culturally safe care.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nutrition

Grantor

University of Saskatchewan

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Hillier, Katherine A W

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Vatanparast, Hassan

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Lane, Ginny
• Lieffers, Jessica
• Labrecque, Mary Ellen
• Bandy, Brian

• Ramadan
• Culturally Safe Care
• Equity
• Dietitian

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10388/16467

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:harvest.usask.ca:10388/16467