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1. Health Beliefs of Afghani : Understanding Pregnancy Practices in Afghan Culture

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1. Health Beliefs of Afghani : Understanding Pregnancy Practices in Afghan Culture

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In Afghan culture, health beliefs around pregnancy place a high value on male offspring due to societal norms favouring sons for lineage continuity and financial support (Nemat, 2017). Women often face societal pressure to produce male children, leading them to seek spiritual assistance from hodjas or utilise charms and amulets (Kuru Alici & Oguncer, 2023). Dietary choices are also influenced, with "hot" foods like meats and spices considered conducive to conceiving boys (Queensland Health, 2011). During pregnancy, traditional advice from family elders is commonly preferred over medical consultations. Postpartum customs such as wearing evil eye beads are prevalent to safeguard the newborn from harm (Kuru Alici & Oguncer, 2023).

Reference :

Jung, E., & Maroof, H. (2021, September 20). Giving birth under the Taliban. BBC World Service. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58585323

Kuru Alici, N., & Ogüncer, A. (2024). Knowledge, beliefs, and cultural practices of sexual and reproductive health among Afghan refugee women in Türkiye. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 35(1), 30–40. https://doi.org/10.1177/10436596231209042

Nemat, O. (2017). Afghanistan: The shame of having daughters. Institute for War & Peace Reporting. https://iwpr.net/global-voices/afghanistan-shame-having-daughters

Queensland Health. (2011). Health information: Afghan community profile. Queensland Government. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0032/156398/afghan2011.pdf

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(Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership, 2019)

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2. Domain 1: Clinical Expert - standards 3.1

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2. Domain 1: Clinical Expert - standards 3.1

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For me, the most important aspect is Standard 3.1, which is understanding the medico-legal risks of not engaging an interpreter when needed (Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership, 2019). If I meet a patient who isn’t fluent in English and refuses an interpreter, I will share that I’m also not a native speaker and have felt uncomfortable without one. Also, I will build a connection by explaining my culture and asking them respectfully about their culture so that they can feel friendly. I’ve realised that neglecting to involve an interpreter can lead to severe misunderstandings and potential legal issues, compromising patient care (Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership, 2019). Moving forward, I’ll consistently encourage the patients to use interpreter services to ensure patient outcomes.

Reference :

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

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3. The impact of "social inclusion and non-discrimination" as a WHO social determinant.

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3. The impact of "social inclusion and non-discrimination" as a WHO social determinant.

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Social inclusion and non-discrimination are critical WHO social variables influencing Afghan refugees' mental health and well-being in Australia (Slewa-Younan et al., 2017). As a result of their terrible experiences, many people develop post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Language difficulties, a type of prejudice, impede access to health services and create isolation, resulting in increased anxiety and reluctance to seek treatment. These restrictions harm the well-being and health of Afghan refugees (Sharifian et al., 2020). In contrast, inclusion policies that address linguistic barriers promote a sense of belonging while improving access to healthcare, which is critical for well-being. Prioritising social inclusion and eliminating language-based prejudice is crucial to improving health outcomes for Afghan refugees in Australia (Tomasi et al., 2022).

References:

Dias, A. (2022, March 22). Afghan asylum seeker family sue Australian government for taking too long to approve their visas. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-22/afghan-asylum-seekers-sue-australia/100916380

Sharifian, F., Sadeghpour, M., Barton, S., Barry, J., Barton, G., & Yilmaz, I. (2021). English language learning barriers of Afghan refugee women in Australia. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 31(1), 65–78. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijal.12320

Slewa-Younan, S., Yaser, A., Guajardo, M. G. U., Mannan, H., Smith, C. A., & Mond, J. M. (2017). The mental health and help-seeking behaviour of resettled Afghan refugees in Australia. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 11(1), Article 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-017-0157-z

Tomasi, A.-M., Slewa-Younan, S., Narchal, R., & Rioseco, P. (2022). Professional mental health help-seeking amongst Afghan and Iraqi refugees in Australia: Understanding predictors five years post resettlement. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), Article 1896. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031896

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4. Common health issues of Afghani upon arrival to Australia - TB and treatment

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4. Common health issues of Afghani upon arrival to Australia - TB and treatment

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Tuberculosis is mostly a lung illness caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Those with lung TB can spread the disease by spitting, sneezing, or coughing (WHO, 2024). Afghan refugees may arrive with latent or active TB, necessitating immediate treatment. Afghanistan has one of the highest rates of tuberculosis worldwide (Rafiee et al., 2014). The recommended regimen is a 6- to 9-month course of isoniazid (10mg/kg up to 300mg daily) to lower the risk of latent TB developing into active TB. Because of the potential of hepatotoxicity, monitoring is critical for people over the age of 35 or those with liver problems. Patients must get regular follow-ups, information on side effects, and treatment adherence (Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide, 2024).

References:

Denholm, J., Bailes, M., & Francis, J. (2024). Tuberculosis (TB & LTBI). Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide.

https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/tuberculosis-tb/

Médecins Sans Frontières. (2022, February 22). Drug-resistant tuberculosis in Afghanistan: We must continue to put people at the center of treatment. ReliefWeb. https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/drug-resistant-tuberculosis-afghanistan-we-must-continue-put-people-center

Rafiee, B., Ghani, S., Sadeghi, D., Mosavari, N., Tadayon, K., Rezaei, A., & Farazi, A. A. (2014). EVALUATION OF THE GENETIC SIMILARITY OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS STRAINS ISOLATED FROM IranIAN AND AFGHAN TB PATIENTS USING RFLP-BASED METHODS. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 43(2), 269-.

World Health Organization. (2024). Tuberculosis. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/tuberculosis#tab=tab_1

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Afghanistan's national food, kabbuli pulao, is a tasty and wholesome dish consisting of lamb, cardamom, cumin, carrots, onions, and raisins cooked with basmati rice (Metro South Health, 2016). Rich lamb juices cook the rice, then topped with fried carrots and raisins to provide a well-balanced serving of protein, carbs, and necessary elements. Vegetarians can replace the lamb in this dish without sacrificing its nutritious content by using vegetables. Dumplings, either Mantoo (meat-based) or Aushak (vegetarian), are another classic Afghan meal served with yoghurt and a tomato-based sauce, providing protein and probiotics (Metro South Health, 2016). Mantoo has a personal link and intrigues me mainly because it tastes like a meal from my Korean culture.

Reference:

Afghan Cooks. (2021, May 9). Kabuli Pulao recipe. Afghan Cooks. https://afghancooks.com/kabuli-pulao-recipe/

Afghan Cooks. (2022, November 3). Mantu recipe: Afghan dumpling. Afghan Cooks. https://afghancooks.com/mantu-recipe-afghan-dumpling/

Metro South Health. (2016). Food and cultural practices of the Afghan community in Australia – a community resource. Queensland Government. https://www.metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/242249/community-profile-afghan.pdf

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The Baluchi dress, traditionally worn by the Baluchi people in southern Afghanistan, has undergone significant changes. Originally, men wore white or indigo cotton trousers (shalwar) beneath a long shirt (JAMA), topped with a densely pleated cotton robe (kurta). By the 20th century, this attire was replaced by the shalwar kameez, consisting of shalwar trousers and a tunic (kameez), complemented by headgear such as the snugly fitting topi cap and pag turban (Condra, 2013, pp. 2-3). Women’s traditional clothing includes ankle-length shalwar trousers, a loose-fitting dress (paskh), and a large shawl or outer cover (chadar). Baluchi garments are renowned for their intricate embroidery, traditionally done by hand but increasingly produced by machine, often featuring floral or geometric patterns (Condra, 2013, pp. 2-3).

Reference:

Condra, J. (Ed.). (2013). Encyclopedia of national dress: Traditional clothing around the world (Vols. 1-2). Bloomsbury Publishing USA.

Zeenat. (2023, January 11). Afghanistan clothing culture. Medium. https://medium.com/@zeenatwears/afghanistan-clothing-culture-d2eb6382d1ee

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7. The Cultural Significance of Attan: Afghanistan's Traditional Dance

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7. The Cultural Significance of Attan: Afghanistan's Traditional Dance

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Attan, a traditional Afghan dance, is more than just a performance; it embodies the core values of Pashtun society, such as bravery, unity, and honesty (Khan & Khattak, 2014). Originating from the pagan rituals of Pashtoon tribes, Attan evolved into a Muslim dance that soldiers performed to feel closer to God before the battle. Typically accompanied by instruments like the Dhol drum, Robab, and Surnai flute, Attan is a circular dance involving anywhere from two to over a hundred participants (Khan & Khattak, 2014). The dance, led by a leader who guides the rhythm, can last 5 to 30 minutes, often ending when the dancers are physically exhausted (Khan & Khattak, 2014).

Reference:

Khan, S., & Khattak, A. (2014). Role of Pashto theatre and other performing arts in inculcating the spirit of cultural renaissance and promoting nationalistic & ethical values among Pashtuns: An analytical overview. Sarhad University International Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 2(1), 46-57.

Pure Pixel Films. (2020, April 24). Attan tutorial by Attan Girls [Lesson 1] [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhP77vTpZy4