Religion and personal beliefs often define individuals and influence their behavior

Religion and personal beliefs often define individuals and influence their behavior. “Religion can have a major impact on health, particularly for specific practices that are encouraged or condemned by a particular religious group” (Riegelman, R.,  Kirkwood, B. 2014).  Let’s look at the hypothetical scenario to contemplate the influence of religion on health behavior:

You are working in a country with strict Islamic practices and find that religion, like culture, can have major impacts on health. Religious practices differ widely—from beliefs about food and alcohol; to sexual practices, such as male circumcision and female sexual behavior; to acceptance or rejection of interventions aimed at women’s health. (Riegelman, R.,  Kirkwood, B. 2014).

In this scenario, how does religion affect health? How would you use this knowledge if in your efforts to protect and promote health in this country?