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Cultural Background and Religion: Buddhism

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Cultural Background and Religion: Buddhism

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Burma, also known as Myanmar, has been under conflict since 1948, ruled by government (Tatmadaw) and military forces, fighting many local ethnic groups, mainly consisting of the Karen National Union (Maizland, 2022). A larger Civil War has been active since 2021 due to a coup occurring. This has caused millions of people to flee to neighbouring countries, looking for safety as they fight against religion and beliefs (International Crisis Group, 2017). Over 90% of people in Myanmar are Buddhist and practice Theravada Buddhism, believing they can attain enlightenment through their works (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2019). The best way to do this is to commit to the monastery as a monk.

International Crisis Group. (2017, September 4). Buddhism and State Power in Myanmar. Crisis Group. https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/myanmar/290-buddhism-and-state-power-myanmar

Maizland, L. (2022, January 31). Myanmar’s Troubled History: Coups, Military Rule, and Ethnic Conflict. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/myanmar-history-coup-military-rule-ethnic-conflict-rohingya

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2019). Theravada | Buddhism | Britannica. In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Theravada

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In Myanmar, their traditional clothing is worn everyday by most. Something that both men and women wear is a Longyi, a skirt that is wrapped around and tired together (Burma: Land of the Longyi | AU InsideAsia Tours, 2024). In the past, your clothing would often represent your social status, so the more fabric that your Longyi was made out of, the more affluent you were (Mekong Review 2, 2019). There are many different patterns and designs that represent different ethnicities or areas which you are form. Floral designs are more commonly worn by women, but there are also stripes and diamond shaped patterns that are typically chosen my men (Tran, 2019).

Burma: Land of the longyi | AU InsideAsia Tours. (2024). InsideAsia Tours. https://www.insideasiatours.com/au/blog/burma-land-longyi

Mekong Review 2. (2019, April 30). Longyi - Mekong Review. Mekong Review. https://mekongreview.com/longyi/

Tran, C. (2019, November 7). The story of Longyi - An impressive Myanmar traditional dress. Indochina Voyages. https://www.indochinavoyages.com/travel-blog/myanmar-travel-guide/whats-special-traditional-clothes-myanmar

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The national dish of Myanmar is Mohinga, a fish soup made with rice noodles (Macrae, 2013). Traditionally, it is eaten at breakfast and consists of lemongrass, turmeric, ginger, and fish sauce as the soup base (Khin, 2024). The dish is commonly served with boiled eggs and fritters. Ideally catfish is used in the soup as it is easily accessible, but it can be substituted with other fishes as well. Mohinga is a tedious meal to make and can take a lot of time, fortunately, it is easily ready and accessible at nearly any market or corner store in Myanmar, perfect for breakfast (Wiens, 2011).

Khin, S. (2024, January 15). Mohinga - Fish Noodle Soup. Burmalicious by Suu. https://www.theburmalicious.com/blog/mohinga

Macrae, K. (2013, August 27). Mohinga: Myanmar’s National Dish. The Slow Road Luxury Travel Blog. https://www.butterfield.com/get-inspired/mohinga-myanmars-national-dish

Wiens, M. (2011, May 2). 20 Scrumptious Burmese Foods: Take a Bite of Burma (Myanmar)! Migrationology - Food Travel Blog. https://migrationology.com/burmese-cuisine-food-bite-of-burma/

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Social exclusion and discrimination is sadly, something that refugees coming from Myanmar experience when coming to Australia. Refugees from Myanmar rely heavily on traditional herbal medicines and aren’t familiar with western medicine (Wodniak, 2018). Upon entering Australia, as refugees, they have most likely been in camps or situations with poor living conditions, experiencing persecutions, war and trauma. This severely impacts their physical and mental health (Health of Refugees and Humanitarian Entrants in Australia, Humanitarian Entrant Health, 2023). Social inclusion and non-discrimination is important to implement at this stage as it will help them to settle into their new environment, feeling a part of the community. This leads to willingness in understanding health, educations, employment and other factors (WHO, 2024).

Health of refugees and humanitarian entrants in Australia, Humanitarian entrant health. (2023, November 3). Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cald-australians/health-of-refugees-and-humanitarian-entrants/contents/background/humanitarian-entrant-health

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

Wodniak, N. (2018). Burmese Refugee Health: The Value of Plant-Based Medicine. https://research.library.fordham.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1054&context=environ_2015#:~:text=For%20many%20individuals%20in%20Myanmar

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Many Asian countries, Myanmar included rely dependently on traditional medicines made from herbal plants, although not all of the are beneficial. Betel Nut chewing is something that widely occurs in Myanmar, and it believed to be used for treatment of diarrhoea and other abdominal pains, removal of intestinal parasites, dyspepsia, jaundice and schizophrenia (Wodniak, 2018). Betel Nut is also used as a stimulant drug. Often paired with tobacco, Betel Nut is chewed on, leaving the teeth and gums stained red. Regular consumption of the drug can lead to higher chances or neck, throat and oral cancer, chronic kidney diseases and prostate cancer (Areca Nut, 2023).

Areca Nut. (2023, March 22). Nih.gov; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK590486/#:~:text=(Extracts%20of%20Areca%20catechu%20have

Wodniak, N. (2018). Burmese Refugee Health: The Value of Plant-Based Medicine. https://research.library.fordham.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1054&context=environ_2015#:~:text=For%20many%20individuals%20in%20Myanmar

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Competency Standard 2.1 Personal Reflection

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When I first read through competency standard 1.2, I thought of a few of my friends, who were once refugees and fled from their country. Having discussed with them and experienced first-hand the conditions that they went through, I realise the importance of acknowledging trauma when partaking is assessments and treatment as it is vital to giving them the patient care that they need. Having this understanding is essential in the workplace, because as nurses, we are to take the measures that are needed to cater to individual care between each patient. I am encouraged to see that this standard is included in our Clinical Practice Framework (Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership, 2019).

Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership. (2019). Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds COMPETENCY STANDARDS FRAMEWORK FOR CLINICIANS (pp. 12–13). https://culturaldiversityhealth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf

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Health Issues that Refugees from Myanmar face upon entering Australia

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Health Issues that Refugees from Myanmar face upon entering Australia

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Due to poor living conditions, trauma and persecution of refugees in Myanmar before they get to Australia, their health is severely neglected (UNHCR, 2023). Some of the most common things that they struggle with is their hearing, vision and oral health. This is because of their lack of hygiene resources that are available, but also betel nut chewing also contributes to their oral health (Areca Nut, 2023). Upon entering Australia, dental reviews and checks will be undertaken and scans will be recommended to check for any abnormalities, diseases or cancers. To treat this, they will be educated on proper hygiene and any dental procedures or surgeries will be encouraged (Hearing, Vision and Oral Health» Australian Refugee Health, n.d.).

Areca Nut. (2023, March 22). Nih.gov; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK590486/#:~:text=(Extracts%20of%20Areca%20catechu%20have

Hearing, Vision and Oral Health» Australian Refugee Health. (n.d.). Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/hearing-vision-and-oral-health/

UNHCR. (2023). Myanmar situation. Global Focus. https://reporting.unhcr.org/operational/situations/myanmar-situation