Gender association of prayer for health - perspective from university students in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

The role of religion and spirituality in coping with disease and promoting health has been reported from many parts of the World. However, no scientific studies on the use of prayers for health and wellbeing have been reported from Pakistan. A cross-sectional survey, using a self-administered questionnaire, was conducted among 1342 graduate and undergraduate students in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. A huge majority of students had prayed for their own as well as their family members' health in the preceding three months. There is a need to better understand the role in Pakistan of prayers related to health.