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Afghanistan is mostly Muslim, with the majority following Sunni Islam and a smaller group following Shia Islam (Wikipedia, 2023). Faith is very important for Afghan refugees, shaping how they view health and deal with stress. Many link their trauma to conditions like dementia and believe that health events are spiritually determined (Bridi et al., 2023). Australian refugee guidelines stress the need for culturally sensitive care, advising healthcare providers to respect religious practices, such as prayer and fasting during Ramadan. This respect is key to building trust and cooperation with Afghan refugees (Australian Government, 2023).

References

Bridi, L., et al. (2023). The influences of faith on illness representations and coping procedures of mental and cognitive health among aging Arab refugees: a qualitative study. Frontiers in Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1083367

LSE Religion and Global Society. (2019). Islam and the dilemmas of religious freedom [Image]. The London School of Economics and Political Science. https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/religionglobalsociety/2019/09/islam-and-the-dilemmas-of-religious-freedom/.

Refugee Health Guide. (2020). Australian refugee health practice guide. http://refugeehealthguide.org.au/.

Wikipedia contributors. (2023). Afghan religion. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_religion.

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Traditional Afghan cuisine, rich in carbohydrates with staples like naan, rice, and meats, plays a significant role in both community and individual diets (Wikipedia Contributors, 2019). During gatherings, diverse and flavorful meals are prepared, fostering social connections that positively impact social determinants of health. However, high consumption of white rice, with its high glycaemic index, increases the risk of type 2 diabetes (Yu et al., 2022). To mitigate this risk, healthcare providers should offer culturally appropriate dietary advice, encouraging Afghan refugees to modify recipes by reducing fat and sugar, thereby improving non-communicable disease outcomes (Refugee Health Guide, 2020).

reference

Wikipedia Contributors. (2019, May 12). Afghan cuisine. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_cuisine.

Yu, J., Balaji, B., Tinajero, M., Jarvis, S., Khan, T., Vasudevan, S., Ranawana, V., Poobalan, A., Bhupathiraju, S., Sun, Q., Willett, W., Hu, F. B., Jenkins, D. J. A., Mohan, V., & Malik, V. S. (2022). White rice, brown rice and the risk of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open, 12(9), e065426. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065426.

Refugee Health Guide. (2020). Australian refugee health practice guide. http://refugeehealthguide.org.au/.

Wagner, J. (2023). Afghan rice dish with raisins and carrots [Photograph]. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2312699.

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In Afghanistan, Pashto and Dari are the two official languages, each important in different regions. Pashto is predominantly spoken in the southern and eastern areas, while Dari, a variant of Persian, is common in the central and northern regions and is used in official documents (Mobashir, 2021). This rich linguistic diversity influences various aspects of life, including education, tourism, and cultural exchange, positively promoting social determinants of health. In healthcare, understanding and respecting cultural and linguistic preferences is crucial for effective treatment (Erickson & al-Timimi, 2001). Additionally, employing culturally appropriate interpreters and being aware of language nuances can greatly enhance treatment outcomes (Refugee Health Guide, 2020).

References

Afghan Flag. (n.d.). Flag of Afghanistan. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Afghanistan.svg.

Erickson, C. D., & Al-Timimi, N. R. (2001). Providing mental health services to Arab Americans: Recommendations and considerations. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 7(4), 308–327. https://doi.org/10.1037/1099-9809.7.4.308.

Mobashir, P. H. (2021). Research of Current Common Languages in Afghanistan. Randwick International of Education and Linguistics Science Journal, 2(4), 555–559. https://doi.org/10.47175/rielsj.v2i4.349.

Refugee Health Guide. (2020). Australian refugee health practice guide. http://refugeehealthguide.org.au/.

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A common Health Issues and Treatment Approach ( Afghan Refugees in Australia)

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A common Health Issues and Treatment Approach ( Afghan Refugees in Australia)

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Refugees and asylum seekers often face significant mental health challenges due to pre-arrival trauma and the stress of resettlement (Refugee Health Guide, 2020). Additionally, Hamrah et al. (2020) found that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is particularly prevalent among Afghan refugees in Australia, with 30% experiencing PTSD because of past trauma. PTSD involves symptoms like distressing memories and feeling constantly on edge. A key treatment is psychoeducation, which helps individuals understand and normalize their symptoms, reducing stigma and promoting self-management (Refugee Health Guide, 2020). This approach empowers refugees to feel more in control and less isolated, improving mental health outcomes (Hamrah et al., 2020).

References

Arab News. (2022, March 27). [Image of cultural event in Pakistan]. Arab News. https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2050856/world.

Hamrah, M. S., Hoang, H., Mond, J., Pahlavanzade, B., Charkazi, A., & Auckland, S. (2020b). The prevalence and correlates of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among resettled Afghan refugees in a regional area of Australia. Journal of Mental Health, 30(6), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2020.173924.

Refugee Health Guide. (2020). Australian refugee health practice guide. http://refugeehealthguide.org.au/.

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Impact of Social Inclusion and Non-Discrimination on Afghan Refugees' Health in Australia.

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Impact of Social Inclusion and Non-Discrimination on Afghan Refugees' Health in Australia.

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Social inclusion and non-discrimination are essential for the mental health of Afghan refugees in Australia. Rezaei et al. (2021) note that even after gaining citizenship, Afghan refugees face challenges in integration and discrimination, which negatively impact their mental well-being. They state, “integration into Australian society remains difficult for many Afghan refugees, affecting their health and well-being.” Similarly, Tomasi et al. (2022) found that stigma and lack of social support prevent Afghan refugees from accessing mental health services, leading to poorer mental health outcomes. Enhancing social inclusion and addressing discrimination can significantly improve their mental health (Refugee Health Guide, 2020).

References

Physiopedia. (n.d.). Introduction to gender equality and social inclusion (GESI). https://www.physio-pedia.com/Introduction_to_Gender_Equality_and_Social_Inclusion_(GESI).

Refugee Health Guide. (2020). Australian refugee health practice guide. http://refugeehealthguide.org.au/.

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.

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), 1896. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031896.

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Reflection on Domain 1. standard 1.1

For me, the most relevant aspect of competency standard 1.1 was understanding the importance of responding to patients' diverse cultural, religious, and language needs without making assumptions. I now fully understand how these factors affect health beliefs and care. I feel more confident in caring for patients from different cultures, which is crucial because it builds trust, a cornerstone of the patient-caregiver relationship and ensures care is tailored to each patient's unique needs. Initially, I didn't fully grasp the importance of cultural diversity in my approach, which could have compromised treatment. Henceforth, I’m committed to diversifying my learning about CALD backgrounds to achieve culturally sensitive and patient-centered care.

reference

Lauwers, L., Vandecasteele, R., McMahon, M., Stéphanie De Maesschalck, & Willems, S. (2024). The patient perspective on diversity-sensitive care: a systematic review. International Journal for Equity in Health, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-024-02189.

Migrant & 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/2019/04/Culturally-Responsive-Clinical-Practice-Competency-Standards-Framework.pdf.

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The Traditional Medicine of Afghan people. 

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The Traditional Medicine of Afghan people. 

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Nigella sativa, commonly known as black cumin or "kalonji" in Afghanistan, is highly valued in traditional medicine. The seeds have been used for centuries to treat respiratory issues, digestive disorders, and skin ailments (Ayoubi et al., 2024). Consumed as oil or mixed with honey, its use is deeply rooted in Islamic tradition. Modern research supports these uses, highlighting its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immune-boosting properties (Barashkova et al., 2023). Hussain et al. (2024) emphasize its rich nutritional profile and medicinal value, noting its essential nutrients and bioactive compounds, which contribute to these broad health benefits.

reference

Ayoubi, R., Raufi, A. K., Bashir, B. A., & Nowrozi, H. (2024). Medicinal plants used for the treatment of common parasitic diseases by traditional practitioners in Kabul City, Afghanistan. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 10(4), 237-244. https://doi.org/10.1234/jpp.2024.06.06.

Barashkova, A. S., Smirnov, A. N., Zorina, E. S., & Rogozhin, E. A. (2023). Diversity of Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides in Black Cumin ( Nigella sativa L.) Seeds. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(9), 8066-. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24098066.

Alamy. (n.d.). Nigella sativa or fennel flower, nutmeg flower, black caraway, Roman coriander, black cumin, black sesame, blackseed, black caraway, Bunium persicum [Photograph]. Alamy. Retrieved August 25, 2024, from https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/black-cumin-flower.html.

Hussain, S., Aqsa Rukhsar, Iqbal, M., Qurat ul Ain, Jahanzaib Fiaz, Akhtar, N., Afzal, M., Ahmad, N., Ahmad, I., Wissem Mnif, & Khalid, H. (2024). Phytochemical Profile, Nutritional and Medicinal Value of Nigella sativa. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, 103324–103324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcab.2024.103324