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Traditional Afghan men's clothing is called perahan tunban and includes a gold or silver embroidered waistcoat with paizar footwear. Women's traditional clothing is known for its beautiful handmade embroidery and design and consists of a long cotton dress with matching trousers, a headscarf, a purse, and flat shoes called paizar.

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Boiling herbs and plants is a popular home remedy, which many older folks prefer over Western medicine.

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Darmander Singh, a Hindu sage in Kabul, is known as La La Dil Soz, which means "kind big brother" in Persian. He sees more than 30 patients each week and asks them detailed questions about their health before giving them herbal remedies. Singh is one of a hundred Hindu sages in Kabul who specialize in using herbs to treat people.

"This treatment is centuries old, and it is relevant even now. Herbal medicine gets positive results almost 100% of the time, with no side effects," he insists. "That is why people still come to us and encourage their relatives to come too."

References:

Arizona Department of Health Services. (n.d.). Community profile: Afghan refugees in Arizona. https://www.azdhs.gov/documents/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/disease-integrated-services/refugee-health/providers/community-profile-afghan.pdf

https://worldcrunch.com/culture-society/why-ancient-herbal-medicine-is-still-so-popular-in-afghanistan

https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/9/3/the-afghan-herbalist-who-claims-to-have-a-cure-for-covid-19

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For me, reading competency standard 1.1 made me realize that ethnicity does not necessarily define a person's identity in totality. This understanding is essential for me in my workplace because each individual navigates their culture uniquely, and I must be sensitive to this diversity and avoid assumptions. I am not yet confident in finding useful care strategies for Afghani people; therefore, I will need to engage in active listening and open communication, allowing individuals to express their needs and preferences without fear of judgment. I recognise the necessity of approaching every interaction with a learner's mindset knowing that at the core of individuality is autonomy.  I aim to acknowledge the individuality of people, regardless of their ethnicity by asking thoughtful questions and being adaptable so I can work collaboratively and find solutions that align with patient's preferences in the future.

1.1 Clinicians respond sensitively and without assumptions to the diversity of individual characteristics and social determinants of health—including cultural, religious or spiritual and linguistic considerations, health beliefs, individual abilities, choices and preferences— and modify their approach as appropriate.

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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Post-settlement weight gain and obesity-related diseases

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Post-settlement weight gain and obesity-related diseases

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Weight gain leading to obesity is a significant and common problem seen in the refugee population. They are particularly vulnerable to rapid weight gain¹ and obesity-related disease post-settlement.⁵ Many refugees have experienced prolonged periods of limited access to food, leading them to overeat when food becomes more accessible after resettlement.²

The Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide recommends screening for NCDs as per the RACGP Red Book initial assessment, annually or as opportunities arise.4 Without proper dietary education, Afghan refugees may be at higher risk of developing obesity-related diseases due to their sudden access to high-calorie foods and the sedentary lifestyle that often accompanies resettlement in urban environments. Providing education about the long-term health risks associated with processed and fast foods, explaining the connection between excess weight and chronic diseases, and offering practical advice on weight management through proper diet and exercise are key to preventing disease.⁶ The study published above indicates that brief dietary counselling from culturally aligned providers may lead to positive changes in BMI.

This guide also recommends using tailored, patient-centered, explanatory models.⁴ Health information on nutrition and lifestyle should be delivered in their native language or through interpreters to ensure understanding. Visual aids and culturally relevant examples can enhance comprehension, making the information more relatable and easier to apply in daily life. A health translator is available to help build healthier communities by making healthcare more accessible and culturally relevant. Referrals to diabetes nurse educators and dietitians help patients understand and manage their chronic conditions, with careful consideration of cultural and religious factors, such as the impact of Ramadan on diabetes management.⁴

References:

1. Jen, K. L. C., et al. (2015). Pre- and post-displacement stressors and body weight development in Iraqi refugees in Michigan. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 17, 1468–1475.

2. Hervey, K., et al. (2009). Overweight among refugee children after arrival in the United States. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 20(1), 246–256.

3. Mulugeta, W., et al. (2018). Longitudinal changes and high-risk subgroups for obesity and overweight/obesity among refugees in Buffalo, NY, 2004–2014. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 5(1), 187–194.

4. Refugee Health Guide. (2012). Chronic non-communicable diseases in adults. Refugee Health Guide. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/chronic-non-communicable-diseases-in-adults/

5. Sanati Pour, M., et al. (2014). Prevalence of dyslipidaemia and micronutrient deficiencies among newly arrived Afghan refugees in rural Australia: A cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 14, 896.

6. Mehdi, S. P., Pasricha, J., & Biggs, B. A. (2023). Hyperlipidaemia and weight amongst Afghani refugees attending a general practice clinic in regional Australia. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 25(3), 589–595. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-022-01446-1

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The traditional dance known as Attan (Pashto: اتڼ) originated from the tribal Pashtun regions and is considered the national dance of Afghanistan.

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Integration Challenges of Afghan refugees

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The integration of Afghan refugees into Australian society has been successful for some, but others face serious challenges even after obtaining citizenship.³ Afghan-Australians encounter significant challenges due to the discrimination they face from society. They are frequently unjustly portrayed as "terrorist militants" rather than acknowledged as victims of terrorism.7 Additionally, exploitation and discrimination in the workplace directly impact the health of Afghani migrant workers. The troubling findings of workplace discrimination and exploitation, along with the resulting detrimental health effects, serve to emphasize the far-reaching influence of the local community's understanding and perception of refugees and their diverse backgrounds.1 Social inclusion can thus be challenging for refugees in Australia, as legal protection and policies may not sufficiently address discrimination in practice.

Work is a key social determinant of health, offering income, identity, opportunities for personal growth, and social connections.2,3 However, it can also pose health risks, particularly for temporary migrant workers who encounter challenges in securing employment, such as limited local experience, language barriers, and discrimination.8 These obstacles increase their likelihood of facing unfavorable working conditions, which can negatively affect their health.3,6 Social inclusion is especially vital for further improving the quality of Australia's multicultural society.

References:

1. A. Ziersch, M. Walsh, C. Due, & A. Reilly (2021). Temporary refugee and migration visas in Australia: An occupational health and safety hazard. International Journal of Health Services, 51(4), 531–544.

2. Cheng, I. H., Wahidi, S., Vasi, S., & Samuel, S. (2015). Importance of community engagement in primary health care: The case of Afghan refugees. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 21(3), 262–267. https://doi.org/10.1071/PY13137

3. Colic-Peisker, V., & Tilbury, F. (2007). Refugees and employment: The effect of visible difference on discrimination. Perth, Western Australia: Centre for Social and Community Research, Murdoch University.

4. Lazarus, S. (2019). ‘Some animals are more equal than others’: The hierarchy of citizenship in Austria. Laws, 8(14). https://doi.org/10.3390/laws8030014

5. Markus, A. (2014). Attitudes to immigration and cultural diversity in Australia. Journal of Sociology, 50(1), 10–22. https://doi.org/10.1177/1440783314522188

6. Preibisch, K., & Hennebry, J. (2011). Temporary migration, chronic effects: The health of international migrant workers in Canada. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 183(9), 1033–1038.

7. Rezaei, O., Adibi, H., & Banham, V. (2021). Integration experiences of former Afghan refugees in Australia: What challenges still remain after becoming citizens? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(19), 10559. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910559

8. Syed, I. U. (2016). Labor exploitation and health inequities among market migrants: A political economy perspective. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 17(2), 449–465.

9. van der Noordt, M., H, I. J., Droomers, M., & Proper, K. I. (2014). Health effects of employment: A systematic review of prospective studies. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 71(10), 730–736.

10. World Health Organization. (1946). Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference in New York. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO.

11. Wilkinson, R. G., & Marmot, M. (2003). Social determinants of health: The solid facts. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.

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The national dish of Afghanistan is Kabuli palaw, a rice dish cooked with raisins, carrots, nuts, and lamb or beef.

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The Taliban in Afghanistan put up signs in Kabul telling women to wear clothes that cover their bodies.

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In September 2021, Afghan women protested the Taliban's strict dress code online after the group took control.

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This necklace is a choker made from silver and lapis lazuli, and it comes from Afghanistan.

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Turbans (lungis) are worn all over the country, but the fabric, color, and style vary from region to region.