# data[].attributes.body
Kerala also known as 'God's Own Country' is a state in India located in the region of South India on the tropical Malabar Coast. It is known for its backwaters, houseboats and spices (KeralaTravels.com, 2018).

Population: 34.63 million

Districts: 14

Language: Malayalam

Capital: Thiruvananthapuram (or Trivandrum)

(Citation: KeralaTravels.com.(2018). Kerala. https://www.keralatravels.com/pages/about-kerala)

‌

# data[].attributes.body
Health to me means being mentally, physically and emotionally healthy by doing exercises and eating clean and healthy food to keep my body functioning and moving and my mind focused.

# data[].attributes.body
In 2018, Kerala experienced its highest level of monsoon rainfall in decades. Floods in Kerala have killed more than 410 people since June 2018, and local officials have said it is the worst flooding in 100 years. Many have died as they have been crushed under debris caused by landslides. One million people were left homeless, and 3,200 emergency relief camps were set up in the area (Internet Geography, 2023).

(Citation:  Internet Geography. (2023). Kerala flood case study.

https://internetgeography.net/topics/kerala-flood-case-study)

# data[].attributes.body
Working life conditions

Migrant and refugee workers in Australia face many challenges in their working lives, such as limited English speakers having a more challenging time getting jobs (Refugee Council of Australia, 2019). Employers often need to recognise overseas work experience (Refugee Council of Australia, 2019). A similar employment history in Australia is required of applicants, and a significant number of new arrivals can't find jobs that provide them with the experience they need to work in Australia (Refugee Council of Australia, 2019).

Education

Education for migrant/refugee people in Australia are difficult

as they come with little English and have limited or different education in the past, which is a challenge in studying or training (Refugee Council of Australia, 2019). Australia offers different ways to study, from studying at all education levels, from primary and secondary school to vocational education and training (VET), from English language courses to higher education, which includes universities and TAFE. (Refugee Council of Australia, 2019).

Food Insecurity

Poor diet and not enough dietary intake due to food insecurity increase the risk of acquiring chronic illnesses such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, depression, and cancer (Right To Food, 2021). Risk factors of poor mental and physical health include the trauma and violence experienced by refugees, as well as their displacement from their country of origin and loss of family and community support (Right To Food, 2021). According to research studies, between 35% and 90% of refugees and migrants endure food insecurity, with 11% to 40% of individuals reporting extreme hunger (Right To Food, 2021). This level of food insecurity exceeds the 4% to 18% range that is often estimated for the entire Australian population (Right To Food, 2021).

(Citation: Right to Food. (2021). What do we know about food insecurity in refugees and asylum seekers in Australia?. https://righttofood.org.au/food-insecurity-in-refugees-and-asylum-seekers-in-australia/#:~:text=Unfortunately%2C%20food%20insecurity%20is%20not,to%2040%25%20of%20the%20participants)

(Citation: WHO. (2023). Social Determinants of Health.
https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1)

‌
(Citation:  Refugee Council of Australia. (2019). Settling in Australia: The challenges. https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/settlement-challenges/)

# data[].attributes.body
For me, the most important Competency standard that represents domain 7 of professional practice, is 12.3 which is about understanding, maintaining and respecting people from migrant and refugee backgrounds. I have developed my understanding of this competency standard as it is an essential part of workplace practice. Having read about the competency, I now feel confident about treating a patient with a different cultural background as I have this knowledge. This understanding and skill is essential to me in the workplace as we live in a diverse world with a billion different culture, background and beliefs, and it is so important for me to treat my patients with respect and quality as I should apply the standards and be committed to the principles and follow so I can make them feel welcome.

(Citation: 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. https://culturaldiversityhealth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf)

‌

# data[].attributes.headline
Principal health issues that migrant/refugee face

# data[].attributes.subject
Principal health issues that migrant/refugee face

# data[].attributes.body
Country focus: Vietnam

Vietnamese communities have flourished in Australia since 1976 (National Museum Australia, 2023). About 219,357 people in Australia were born in Vietnam according to the 2016 national census (National Museum Australia, 2023). The three most common health issues that are listed in the Australian refugee health practice guide that are likely presented when arriving are mental health, intestinal parasites and malaria.

Malaria
A mosquito-spread infection caused by the parasitic protozoan genus Plasmodium is malaria (Australian Refugee Health, 2023). Departure Health Checks (DHCs) are offered to refugees from malaria-endemic regions in the 72 hours prior to departure which include RDTs for malaria (and treatment if positive) (Australian Refugee Health, 2023). One treatment for refugees/migrants suffering from malaria is taking Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) (Mayo Clinic, 2023).

Mental health
According to the World Health Organisation (2023), mental health means managing stress, realizing one's potential, learning and working effectively, and contributing to society. Many refugees who are children and adults suffer from mental health due to experiencing conflict, trauma, family separation, significant human rights violations, sexual violence and torture (Australian Refugee Health, 2023). One treatment option for migrants/refugees suffering from mental health is psychological therapy (BetterHealth channel, 2023).

Intestinal parasites
Intestinal parasites is a parasite that lives in the intestinal tract and takes food from other organisms (Australian Refugee Health, 2023). They are common in rural communities and in low-resource. Sub-Saharan Africa, the Americas, China, and East Asia are among the regions that are more likely to contract infections (Australian Refugee Health, 2023). One treatment option for suffering from intestinal parasites is giving medication such as albendazole, mebendazole, ivermectin and praziquantel (Health Direct, 2023).

(Citation: Healthdirect. (2023). Worms in humans. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/worms-in-humans#:~:text=Other%20intestinal%20worm%20infections%20are,passed%20out%20of%20the%20body)

‌(Citation: Mayo Clinic. (2023). Malaria. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/malaria/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351190)

‌(Citation: WHO. (2022). Mental health. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response)

(Citation: Better Health channel. (2023). Mental illness treatments. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/mental-illness-treatments)

‌

‌‌(Citation: Australian Refugee Health. (2023). Primary Care for People of Refugee Backgrounds.  https://refugeehealthguide.org.au)

‌
‌(Citation: National Museum Australia. (2023). Vietnamese refugees. https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/vietnamese-refugees-boat-arrival)

# data[].attributes.body
Sadya is a vegetarian multi-course meal served in plantain leaf. It is served as lunch and has side dishes, pickles, savouries, parboiled pink rice, and desserts spread on a plantain leaf. This is usually served during the Onam festival, a traditional vegetarian lunch (Kerala Tourism, 2023).

(Citation for Kerala Tourism. (2023). Kerala’s Traditional Feast and Onam festival. https://www.keralatourism.org/kerala-article/2015/onasadya-kerala/553)

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Kerala Sari worn by myself Angel Mathew with designs, but has traditional cream or white colour and golden border. 

# data[].attributes.body
Kerela women wear saris nowadays, but the traditional dress was a two-piece, known as mundum neriyathum. An unstitched piece of cloth worn around the waist is a mundu, and the neriyathu is diagonally worn from the left shoulder, and the end is ticked in at the waist. The material of the mundum neriyathum is hand-woven cotton, the colour of cream or white with a golden (Kasavu) border, known as kara, and the blouse matches the border. Today, it is like a normal sari, but it is called a set-sari or Kerala sari, which has a total length of 5 and a half meters, and the traditional colour remains the same. Men wear a mundu, which is the same fabric and a coloured shirt. Kerala women wear a set sari for special occasions such as festive seasons or weddings; the same goes for men (Blue Lotus Houseboats, 2023).

(Citation: Blue Lotus Houseboats. (2023). Kerala dress. https://www.thehouseboatkerala.com/kerala-dress.html#:~:text=Kerala%20Dress,-The%20people%20of&text=Though%20the%20women%20of%20Kerala,tucked%20in%20at%20the%20waist.)

# data[].attributes.body
There are many world-renowned art forms in Kerala, but kerela culture has a mixture of Indian culture and Dravidian, representing the state's culture and its rich heritage (KeralaTravels.com, 2018). Mohiniyattam and Kathakali are performing arts and Kalaripayattu is martial arts (KeralaTravels.com, 2018).

Kalaripayattu combines mind and body coordination in a martial art form (Kerala Culture & Heritage Tourism (Kerala Travels, 2018).

Kathakali is a 300-year-old dance combining opera, ballet, masques, and pantomimes (KeralaTravels.com, 2018).

Mohiniyattam is a dance that describes a beautiful enchantress (KeralaTravels.com, 2018).

(Citation: KeralaTravels.com. (2018). Kerala Art Forms. https://www.keralatravels.com/pages/kerala-art-forms)

(Citation: KeralaTravels.com. (2018). Kerala Culture & Heritage.
https://www.keralatravels.com/pages/kerala-heritage-culture#:~:text=The%20culture%20of%20Kerala%20can,served%20in%20a%20plantain%20leaf)

# data[].attributes.body
Kerala has been practising Ayurvedic healing for over a thousand years, and it is the oldest form of healthcare (Iris Holidays, 2023). The world draws people from everywhere to this paradise to cure ailments and enrich their minds, bodies, and souls (Iris Holidays, 2023). Using natural elements and herbs such as milk and spices instead of pills and painful injections, Kerala is known for its ancient approach to health care (Iris Holidays, 2023). Spas, massages, and yoga are relaxing treatments that have slowly become people's fitness regimens worldwide (Iris Holidays, 2023). Although Ayurveda has reached many cultures and countries, Kerala is believed to have the highest number of practitioners worldwide (Iris Holidays, 2023).

‌
(Citation: Iris Holidays. (2023). What Kerala Is Famous For: 11 Things That Draw The World To God’s Own Country. https://irisholidays.com/keralatourism/what-kerala-is-famous-for/)