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Spirituality as Strategies for Coping With Tropical Spastic Paraparesis: Results of Focus Group

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Abstract

In the logic of integrality in health, one of the aspects less addressed by assistance services is the question of spirituality. This study utilized qualitative analysis from focus groups to identify whether spirituality can contribute to coping with problems arising from the HTLV-1 myelopathy associated or tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). The testimonies were recorded and then transcribed. The information was then systematized by the analysis of thematic-categorical content. When giving voice to people who suffer from HAM/TSP, there is clear evidence that spirituality, understood broadly and not restricted to institutionalized religious practices, is expressed in narratives of feeling for others and trust in God. Through spiritual solutions, people with HAM/TSP find the strength to face their disability and pain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidade Católica do Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

    Amine Lopes Benevides

  2. Medical Service, Instituto Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

    Genildes Santana

  3. Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde, Bahia, Brazil

    Katia Nunes Sá

Authors
  1. Amine Lopes Benevides
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  2. Genildes Santana
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  3. Katia Nunes Sá
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by KNS, GS, and ALB. The first draft of the manuscript was written by KNS, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Katia Nunes Sá.

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Benevides, A.L., Santana, G. & Sá, K.N. Spirituality as Strategies for Coping With Tropical Spastic Paraparesis: Results of Focus Group. J Relig Health 61, 540–551 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-020-01162-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-020-01162-w

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