Perception and Practice of Dua (Supplication) Among Muslim Patients in General Hospitals in Taraba State

This study examines the perception and practice of Dua (Islamic supplication) among Muslim patients receiving treatment in general hospitals in Taraba State, North East Nigeria. The intersection of religious faith and biomedical healthcare has received growing scholarly attention globally, and the Nigerian Muslim experience offers a locally relevant context for exploring how religious coping practices such as Dua function alongside conventional medical treatment. The study employs a descriptive survey design using questionnaires administered to 200 Muslim inpatients and outpatients in four general hospitals in Jalingo, Wukari, and Bali local government areas. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Findings indicate that a large majority of respondents regularly engage in Dua during illness and view it as an essential complement to medical treatment. A significant proportion also consult traditional Islamic healers alongside hospital treatment. Healthcare workers interviewed report limited training in culturally sensitive communication with religiously observant patients. The study recommends training of hospital staff in faith-sensitive patient communication, the deployment of trained Islamic chaplains in public hospitals, and continued research on the health outcomes of integrated Islamic spiritual and biomedical care. Keywords: Dua, supplication, Muslim patients, healthcare, Taraba State.