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Myanmar (formely known as Burma) is a diverse country located in Southeast Asia that holds officially 135 major ethnic groups which controversially excludes Rohingya (Minority Rights Group, 2020).

The Rohingya are a Muslim minority group who’ve undergone persecution, and in 2023, 1.3 million Rohingya people became displaced in Myanmar due to this persecution (UNHCR, 2024). Due to the Rohingya exclusion from the official groups they are classed as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh (Albert & Maizland, 2020).

This issue has become a refugee crisis, causing more and more people to seek asylum.

Minority Rights Group. (2020, November). Myanmar. Minority Rights Group. https://minorityrights.org/country/myanmar/#:~:text=The%20main%20ethnic%20groups%20living

UNHCR. (2024, August 22). Rohingya Refugee Crisis Explained. Www.unrefugees.org. https://www.unrefugees.org/news/rohingya-refugee-crisis-explained/#Rohingya

Albert, E., & Maizland, L. (2020, January 23). The Rohingya Crisis. Council on Foreign Relations; Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/rohingya-crisis

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Religion is a way of life in Burmese Culture

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Religion is a way of life in Burmese Culture

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Religion is a key part of life in Myanmar, and most Burmese people hold high spirituality, with most identifying as Buddhist.

In the population of Myanmar, Buddhism is practised by the majority at 87.9%, and minorities practice other religious beliefs (Evason, 2017). Religion has been a point of conflict that has led to persecution of minorities (World, T. P. 2010).

Buddhism is non-Abrahamic and is seen as more than a religion and as a philosophical way of life (Keown, 2013, pp. 3–5). Even though the Buddha statue might come to mind when thinking about Buddhism, I encourage you to investigate it further to increase your understanding of diverse beliefs.

Evason, N. (2017). Myanmar (Burmese) Culture - Religion. Cultural Atlas. https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/myanmar-burmese-culture/burmese-myanmar-culture-religion#burmese-myanmar-culture-religion

World, T. P. (2010). Myanmar society & culture complete report : An all-inclusive profile combining all of our society and culture reports. World Trade Press.

Keown, D. (2013). Buddhism : A Very Short Introduction (Second Edition, pp. 3–5). Oxford Oxford University Press -02-28. https://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=6qphzBatjEAC&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=buddhism+brief+overview&ots=zF6wxVLGMb&sig=tUMIryXyIp_C9Wa41LaO1Djh9lk#v=onepage&q&f=false

Image by Qamera. (2019). Title: Myanmar Temple Pagoda Burma. Pixabay. https://pixabay.com/photos/myanmar-temple-pagoda-burma-4123323/

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Social Inclusion and Non-Discrimination Social Determinant of Health & Burmese Refugees

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Social Inclusion and Non-Discrimination Social Determinant of Health & Burmese Refugees

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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), social determinants of health (SDH) are non-medical factors that have an impact on a person’s health outcomes (World Health Organisation, 2024).

Social inclusion & non-discrimination is one SDH that shows the importance of being included and not discriminated against in society. If a person experiences exclusion and discrimination, this can affect their health (for example, mental health) (Department of Health | Part II: Non-Discrimination and Social Inclusion, 2012).

Everyone should experience social inclusion & non-discrimination in all areas; these areas could be but are not limited to education, healthcare frameworks and policies & procedures, job opportunities, in the community, and the relationships we have with healthcare professionals.

Sadly, there is a high number of Burmese people being displaced due to the current cultural climate in Myanmar (UNHCR, 2023). Refugees can experience challenges assimilating to the new country they’re in. In reflection, the acculturation process would naturally be uncomfortable for refugees. It could cause them to feel like social pariahs, compromising their right to social inclusion and non-discrimination.

Experiencing non-discrimination, specifically in health, is a human right everyone should be entitled to (World Health Organization, 2023). Unfortunately, Burmese refugees and other displaced people around the world may not have full access to this basic Human Right, and it is essential for us as individuals to reflect and act on this to make the world and Australia a better place.

World Health Organisation. (2024). Social determinants of health. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1

‌Department of Health | Part II: Non-discrimination and social inclusion. (2012). Www1.Health.gov.au.

https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/pub-sqps-rights-toc~pub-sqps-rights-2

‌UNHCR. (2023, August 23). Rohingya Refugee Crisis Explained. Www.unrefugees.org. https://www.unrefugees.org/news/rohingya-refugee-crisis-explained/

‌World Health Organization. (2023). Human rights and health. World Health Organisation. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-rights-and-health

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Thanaka Paste has been used traditionally by Burmese people for thousands of years as a cosmetic and traditional medicine.

The paste is made from grounded Thanaka tree branches and is mixed with water to make a paste directly administered to the face or body (Goldsberry et al., 2014).

In Burmese culture, Thanaka paste is mainly used as a beauty product to make decorative patterns on the face. The paste contains antiseptic and antifungal ingredients, as well as other properties that make it a beauty product with multifunctional health benefits.

Goldsberry, A., MD MBA, Dinner, A., PhD, & Hanke, C. W., MD MPH (2014).
Thanaka: Traditional Burmese Sun Protection. JDDonline, 13(3), 1.    https://jddonline.com/articles/thanaka-traditional-burmese-sun-protection-S1545961614P0306X

Image by Martine Auvray. (2020). Title: Burmese Women Portrait. Pixabay. https://pixabay.com/photos/burmese-women-portrait-myanmar-4907134/

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Image by Ria Sopala. (2020). Title: Hands Fence Freedom Border Wire. Pixabay. https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-fence-freedom-border-wire-4906663/ 

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The connection between Refugees and PTSD

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The connection between Refugees and PTSD

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Refugees experience a wide range of trauma, pre, and post-migration. PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is estimated to affect nearly half of refugees worldwide (Tomasi et al., 2022).

PTSD and other psychological issues affect many refugees, therefore it’s imperative that healthcare providers and professionals are equipped with the mental health knowledge and resources to assist Refugees.

In summary the ‘Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide’ lists mental health as a common health concern. The organisation recommends that a mental health assessment be made as refugees arrive in Australia (Singleton et al., 2024).

Tomasi, A. M., Slea-Younan, S., Narchal, R., & Rioseco, P. (2022, July 1). Understanding the mental health and help-seeking behaviours of refugees. Australian Institute of Family Studies. https://aifs.gov.au/resources/short-articles/understanding-mental-health-and-help-seeking-behaviours-refugees

Singleton, G., Hocking, D., Gardiner, J., & Paxton, G. (2024). Mental Health. Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/mental-health/

Image by Ria Sopala. (2020). Title: Hands Fence Freedom Border Wire. Pixabay. https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-fence-freedom-border-wire-4906663/

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From: Migrant and Refugee Health Partnership. (2019). Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds COMPETENCY STANDARDS FRAMEWORK FOR CLINICIANS. 

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My desire to be culturally safe & embrace diversity within my nursing practice...

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My desire to be culturally safe & embrace diversity within my nursing practice...

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I intensely desire to ensure I’m culturally safe in my nursing practices. I feel that embracing diversity means admiring people for their individual attributes, perspectives, beliefs, and experiences.

The “Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds” 1.1 (pictured) is a standard I endeavour to hold close. I believe it’s essential for clinicians to appreciate and respect the individuality of each patient without being insensitive or making assumptions about the patient’s diversity (Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership, 2019).

I endeavour to approach this by being slow to speak, actively listening, and humbly becoming a person-centred care nurse.

Migrant and Refugee Health Partnership. (2019). Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds COMPETENCY STANDARDS FRAMEWORK FOR CLINICIANS. https://culturaldiversityhealth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf

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People in Myanmar are estimated to consume over 180 kilograms a year of rice (World Population Review, 2024).

Rice is an important part of many cultures' diets; however, Myanmar people have one of the highest consumption rates globally (Thomson Reuters Foundation, 2019). Rice is in most Burmese meals daily and is known to be a staple among many of the people of Myanmar.

Rice is a grain known to be high in carbohydrates but a sustainable energy for the body. The people of Myanmar don’t just eat rice, though, as the country is also responsible for 2.3% of the global production of rice (Jenkins, 2023).

World Population Review. (2024). Rice Consumption by Country 2024. Worldpopulationreview.com. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/rice-consumption-by-country

Thomson Reuters Foundation. (2019, May 3). From Beans to Gooseberry, Rice-Mad Myanmar Eyes Healthier Diet. The Irrawaddy. https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/beans-gooseberry-rice-mad-myanmar-eyes-healthier-diet.html

Jenkins, J. (2023). BURMA RICE: SITUATIONAL OVERVIEW 2023/24 WET SEASON CROP (pp. 1–3). USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). https://ipad.fas.usda.gov/highlights/2023/11/Burma/index.pdf

Image by Hartono Subagio. (2023). Title: Rice Field Paddy Field Agriculture. Pixabay. https://pixabay.com/photos/rice-field-paddy-field-agriculture-7890204/