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Turmeric powder, also known traditionally as Sa-Nwin, can be found in almost every household in Burma. Farmers plant the crop during the months of April and May to harvest in January and February. Not only is turmeric used in traditional foods such as curry, but it is also a common traditional medicine used in healing practices. Turmeric is used by Burmese people to reduce hay fever, to calm the effects of depression, to lower the levels of cholesterol in the blood and to soothe aches and pains. Turmeric is also used to treat colds and flus, coughs, gastrointestinal issues and skin conditions

(Turmeric Supports Rural Livelihoods in Myanmar | Heinrich Böll Foundation | Southeast Asia Regional Office, 2023)

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Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice 

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Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice 

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After reviewing the culturally responsive clinical practice: working with people from Migrant and refugee backgrounds I found myself reflecting on domain 1.1 which states that clinicians respond sensitively and without assumptions to the diversity of individual characteristics (Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership, 2019). I have developed my knowledge regarding cultural competency in understanding the ways in which lack of cultural practice and skill can negatively impact a patient and can make them withdraw from what could be lifesaving medical attention. Specifically, this knowledge has now taught me that people who practice certain religions may prefer a female or male clinician for cultural and religious purposes which I did not know was a preference before (Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership, 2019). This newfound understanding will allow me to move forward with cultural competency and allows me to have a deeper understanding of the diversity that I will experience as a future nurse.

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Burmese Herbs and Spices used in Traditional Cuisines 

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Burmese Herbs and Spices used in Traditional Cuisines 

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The many traditional cuisines made in Burma use spices and herbs that produce spicy, sour, bitter and salty tastes that are easily identifiable in southeast Asian dishes. Most dishes in modern Burma reflect Chinese cuisines, however foods from the middle east, Thailand, India and other southeast Asian countries (BestPrice Travel, 2020). Burmese people believe that “food is medicine and medicine is food” which is why you can find the close link between herbs and spices being used for medicinal purposes as well as for cuisines. Common herbs and spices used in Burmese dishes are Ngapi, mango pickle, turmeric, tamarind, chilli powder, curry leaf and galangal (BestPrice Travel, 2020).

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Impacts of Social Exclusion and Discrimination 

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Impacts of Social Exclusion and Discrimination 

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Although there were not many scholarly sources regarding Asian and more specifically Burmese discrimination and social exclusion, I had the privilege to interview my work colleague Jade Oo who is a refugee from Burma. I asked her a simple question, “since living in Australia, have you faced social exclusion and discrimination?”. Her answer, “Yes, I have experienced racism and discrimination in Australia, though often in the form of microaggressions. People sometimes assume that I can't speak English or are surprised when I do, often speaking slower to me as if I might not understand.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I encountered more overt racism, likely because of my

appearance as a person of colour. Microaggressions are common, especially in shared living situations.  At work, I’ve been called an "alien" when discussing the challenges of not having Australian citizenship. This feeling of exclusion was further compounded when the Australian government denied my family visas to attend my university graduation due to the political situation in Myanmar. Despite providing all the necessary documents and assurances, their visas were refused, which felt like a form of institutional racism”. Furthermore, a study conducted by the Australian National University conducted by the Social Research centre in 2019 interviewed more than two and a half thousand Australian adults about their encounters with discrimination. The interview found that 81.9% of migrant and refugee Asian-Australians experienced some form of discrimination in public areas such as shops, restaurants, workplaces and education faculties (Biddle, 2019).

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Common Health Issues that Burmese People May Present With Upon Arrival to Australia

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Common Health Issues that Burmese People May Present With Upon Arrival to Australia

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The Burmese population hold the world’s highest total of tuberculosis disease burden which sits at 43% (World, 2023).  Burma faces challenges such as uncontrolled urbanisation, an ageing population, migration and lack of access to health facilities which increases the prevalence of Tuberculosis within communities (Aung et al., 2022). The Australian refugee health practice guide states that all refugees aged 35 and above and including children should be tested for tuberculosis within one month of arrival into Australia. A Tuberculin skin test (Tuberculin Skin Test, n.d.) or Interferon Gamma Release Assay test (Tuberculosis (TB) Blood Test (IGRA) - Minnesota Dept. Of Health, n.d.) will determine if an individual is positive or negative for tuberculosis. An antibiotic called isoniazid – an oral medication not to be taken with food - is often recommended to a refugee who has been diagnosed with either latent tuberculosis infection or tuberculosis (Denholm et al., n.d.).

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It is believed that a total of 90% of the Burmese population are Buddhist and that almost all families actively practice Buddhism (Harvard Divinity School, 2023). It is common to find Burmese Buddha statues located on a shrine inside a Burmese family home (Burmese Buddhist Traditions, 2024). These statues represent good fortune to be brought upon the family. Burmese Buddhists believe that to advance to enlightenment in subsequent rebirths they must create positive karma and show merit (Harvard Divinity School, 2023). A unique part of Burmese Buddhism is meditation and the growth of meditation within their culture which was once reserved for monastic elites and is now performed to provide insight on oneself (Harvard Divinity School, 2023).

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Acheik textiles are the indigenous textile patterns of Burma (Myanmar Traditional Clothes | Myanmar Travel, 2020) Historically, Acheik textiles were only worn by Burmese royals and citizens who were granted permission to wear them by the royal family. These textiles are made from raw silk and are interwoven with unique designs. Nowadays, Acheik textiles are a blend of cotton and silk to make them more affordable. Today, Acheik textiles are worn to show pride for their culture but also are commonly worn for special social and religious occasions (Myanmar Traditional Clothes | Myanmar Travel, 2020).

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References

Aung, S. T., Nyunt, W. W., Moe, M. M., Aung, H. L., & Lwin, T. (2022). The fourth national tuberculosis prevalence survey in Myanmar. PLOS Global Public Health, 2(6), e0000588. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000588

BestPrice Travel. (2020, November 9). Traditional spices used in Myanmar Cuisine. BestPrice Travel; BestPrice Travel. https://www.bestpricetravel.com/travel-guide/traditional-spices-used-in-myanmar-cuisine-2179.html

Biddle, T. U. (2019). Mauri. Scope: Contemporary Research Topics (Kaupapa Kai Tahu 5). https://doi.org/10.34074/scop.2005010

Burmese Buddhist Traditions. (2024). Burmese-Buddhas.com. https://www.burmese-buddhas.com/blog/burmese-buddhist-traditions/#:~:text=Veneration%20for%20Buddha%20at%20home

Denholm , J., Bailes , M., & Francis, J. (n.d.). Tuberculosis (TB & LTBI)» Australian Refugee Health. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/tuberculosis-tb/

Harvard Divinity School. (2023). Buddhism in Myanmar. Rpl.hds.harvard.edu. https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/faq/buddhism-myanmar

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

Myanmar Traditional Clothes | Myanmar Travel. (2020). Myanmar Travel. https://myanmartravel.com/myanmar-traditional-clothes/

Tuberculin Skin Test. (n.d.). Www.health.nsw.gov.au. https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/tuberculosis/Pages/tst-factsheet.aspx#:~:text=%E2%80%8BThe%20Tuberculin%20Skin%20Test

Tuberculosis (TB) Blood Test (IGRA) - Minnesota Dept. of Health. (n.d.). Www.health.state.mn.us. https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/tb/basics/factsheets/igra.html#:~:text=The%20tuberculosis%20(TB)%20blood%20test

Turmeric Supports Rural Livelihoods in Myanmar | Heinrich Böll Foundation | Southeast Asia Regional Office. (2023). Heinrich Böll Foundation | Southeast Asia Regional Office. https://th.boell.org/en/2023/05/16/turmeric-myanmar#:~:text=The%20rhizomes%20of%20turmeric%20are

World. (2023, February 27). How Myanmar achieved the 2020 milestone of reducing TB disease burden. Who.int; World Health Organization: WHO. https://www.who.int/southeastasia/news/feature-stories/detail/how-myanmar-achieved-the-2020-milestone-of-reducing-TB-disease-burden#:~:text=TB%20prevalence%20continues%20to%20exceed