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According to the article written by (Pages, 2022), "Sudanese women typically dress in a long sleeve tunic style dress or a thobe, a wrap-around that covers their body and head. Most of them also cover their hair with a headscarf". Men in Sudan usually wear a garment called galabias, which is described as a loose fitting gown as it is light and breezy and easy for hunting in the hot climate. When tourists are visiting, it is not essential that they dress exactly how Sudanese men and women do, but it is recommended that tourists dress modestly as Sudan is a mostly Muslim country, and it is a sign of respect for their culture. It is also important to "pack accordingly to be comfortable and able to adapt to the changing daily conditions and the high daily temperatures". (Pages, 2022)

References:

Pages, M. (2022b). Sudan packing list. [online] Premium tours for women. Available at: https://tours.solofemaletravelers.club/sudan-packing-list/#:~:text=Sudanese%20women%20typically%20dress%20with.

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Sudanese culture is fascinating, but the country faces numerous disadvantages ranging from poverty, contaminated water, food insecurity and conflict. With thousands of Sudanese people living this way, many flee to different countries like Australia as refugees for better living conditions. Sudan's "Health care system is suffering from an acute lack of staff, funding and medical supplies in addition to repeated attacks, looting and occupation of medical facilities and hospitals. More than 70 per cent of health facilities in conflict-affected regions of Sudan are inoperable or closed" (International Rescue Committee, 2024). With the lack of healthcare facilities & poor living conditions, diseases are prone to outbreaks within the country. With no help to cure them, this leads to high mortality rates, especially in children and adolescents, further deepening the crisis.

You can help the country of Sudan by donating via the international rescue committee at - https://help.rescue.org/donate-au/sudan-emergency

References:

https://www.rescue.org/article/crisis-sudan-what-happening-and-how-help

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Crisis in Sudan: What is happening and how to help

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Sudan tops the IRC’s 2024 Watchlist, a list of countries most likely to experience a deteriorating humanitarian crisis.

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For me, the most important thing I have learned for my future as a nurse is the importance of recognising and addressing the trauma that refugees have gone through. I now know that in refugee patients, there is a need for "trauma-informed care approaches, incorporating such factors as person-centred communication and care, maintaining safe clinical environments, and knowing when to refer for trauma screening." (Munnings et al. 2019). I have developed an understanding of the devastating experiences that can happen in the country of Sudan and that every refugee will experience different things. Having this knowledge, it will stick with me during my nursing career, i now feel that i could confidently assess and give care to a refugee patient. Previously, I did not recognise the level of trauma that refugees have gone through and that everyone has a different history and healthcare needs.

References

munnings, kate, et al. “Redirecting.” Murdoch.edu.au, 2019, moodleprod.murdoch.edu.au/pluginfile.php/4119639/mod_resource/content/3/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf.

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Refugee Health issues arriving to Australia

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Refugee Health issues arriving to Australia

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A common health issue with Sudanese refugees coming to Australia is mental health, "a meta-analysis found the population prevalence of reported torture was 21% in refugee adults"(Singleton et al. 2024). According to (Deng, 2016), "Mental health or trauma is not often discussed by the South Sudanese or African families because of traditional beliefs and taboos associated with mental health." This can make it difficult for health & support workers to get the information they need to be able to help refugees with treatments. Some recommendations are to not ask about trauma on first visits, assess suicide risk, assessment of emotional well being, and a "post-arrival health assessment offers an opportunity to build trust and rapport and raise awareness of mental health and supports in Australia." (Singleton et al. 2024). In refugee children, suicide rates are low, but they can still develop PTSD and other mental health issues if not treated adequately. There is not one treatment for mental health issues, we can only help manage them by referring refugees to specialists where they can get assessed further and get support on managing these issues.

References

Singleton, Gillian, et al. “Mental Health» Australian Refugee Health.” Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide , 2024, refugeehealthguide.org.au/mental-health

Deng , Santino. South Sudanese Australians Community in Victoria 2016.

https://rcvmhs.archive.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Deng_Santino_Atem.pdf.

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Hibiscus is well known for its healing properties in Sudan, but it can also be a nice cold beverage.

Here is a 3 step recipe:

Step 1. Soak 1 cup of dry Hibiscus flower in 2 cups of room temperature water for at least 3 hours. Flower will expand to 3 times its size as it absorbs water and infuses.

Step 2. Add 6 cups of water, bringing the total to 8 cups of water.

Step 3. Add 1/2 cup of sugar and mix well to desired sweetness.

Pour into glasses, serve, and enjoy!

Recipe from

Taste of South Sudan - A South Sudan food recipes, traditions, culture, beauty and mentorship. (2016). Hibiscus flower drink Kerkede - Taste of South Sudan. [online] Available at: https://tasteofsouthsudan.com/recipes/tea/hibiscus-flower-drink-kerkede/#:~:text=hot%20as%20tea.- [Accessed 27 Aug. 2024].

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For Sudan refugees coming to Australia, adapting to a new environment and language can be very overwhelming. That is why accessing Australian healthcare can be quite difficult for a refugee who may have never seen a hospital before. A study showed that "sub-Saharan refugees in Sydney showed evidence of difficulties in accessing health care, including at times when a family member was sick"(Queensland Health Multicultural Services, 2011). This is mostly due to lack of education with the hospital system, language barriers, and not knowing where to go for help. Accounding to (Queensland Health Multicultural Services, 2011) A 2009 large-scale audit discrimination study based on job applications using ethnically distinguishable names showed that people with names from the Middle East were subject to discrimination in applying for jobs." With some of the Sudanese refugee population in Australia not being socially accepted and having to deal with discrimination in different parts of their life, Sudanese refugees are not likely going to want to reach out and address their health issues for themselves or their families, compromising their wellbeing and quality of life in Australia.

References

Queensland Health Multicultural Services. Community Profiles for Health Care Providers - Sudanese Profile. 2011.

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Hibiscus, otherwise in Sudan known as karkade, is a main herbal medicine that has been used in their culture for thousands of years. Sudan is known for its high quality hibiscus, and it grows best in western Sudan. (Mohamed et al, 2012) expresses that "Sudanese, Egyptian, and North African folk medicine utilizes hibiscus to lower body temperature, promote heart health, and for its diuretic purposes. Other regions of Africa use hibiscus to fight bacteria, soothe sore throats, ease muscle spasms, and expel worms and other parasites". The Hibiscus flower can also be made into a refreshing tea, which is enjoyed among Sudanese people, especially during the month of Ramadan. Because health care facilities are so limited, many Sudanese people rely on herbal remedies like hibiscus to cure their health issues.

References

Mohamed, Bahaeldeen, et al. Roselle (Hibiscus Sabdariffa L.) in Sudan, Cultivation and Their Uses. May 2012.