# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Karkade and a Hibiscus flower (Rezk, 2019)

# data[].attributes.body
Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) have remained a popular traditional medicine amongst Sudanese communities from past to present. Hibiscus are cultivated widely across Sudan and have traditionally been consumed as hot or cold beverage via boiling calyces or petals with sugar or using extracts, a drink known by the name of “Karkade” (Kuhnert & Karar, 2017). Karkade is recognised as herbal medicine to reduce cough, heal hypertension and to lower blood pressure (Khider, 2018; Saeed, 1984). The taste is described to be tart or sometimes cranberry-like Hibiscuses extracts being rich in substances such as antibacterial, antibiotic and antihypertensive explain why it is so popularity amongst the communities (Kuhnert & Karar, 2017).

References:

Khider, T. (2018). A Look at Some Medicinal Plants from Sudan-Mini Review. Journal of Advanced Pharmacy Research, 2(4), 238–246. https://doi.org/10.21608/aprh.2018.18131

Kuhnert, N., & Karar, M. E. (2017). Herbal drugs from Sudan: Traditional uses and phytoconstituents. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 11(22), 83. https://doi.org/10.4103/phrev.phrev_15_15

Rezk, R. (2019, June 30). What Is Karkade? All The Truth About Magical Sudanese Rose Nefertiti. https://nefertiti-eg.com/what-is-karkade-all-the-truth-about-magical-sudanese-rose/

Saeed, B. O. (1984). Traditional medicine in The Sudan. Biochemical Education, 12(1), 37–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0307-4412(84)80014-x

# data[].attributes.headline
Domain 1: Clinical Experts - Standard 1.2

# data[].attributes.subject
Domain 1: Clinical Experts - Standard 1.2

# data[].attributes.body
For me, the most significant aspects from the competency standard framework 1.2 was the consideration of pre-migration situation and experience of a refugee patient (The Migrant & Refugee Health Partnership, 2019). I have improved my understanding of considering patient’s experiences. I now feel that I am more capable of communicating with a refugee patient. This skill is essential in my nursing career as better nurse-patient relationship reduces stress for more data accuracy. Because I did not know how disempowered refugees can be, I now need to practice capturing cues in patient responses and not trigger trauma. Subsequently I realised this does not only apply to refugees. Equally, this caring stance could be related to better care giving.

Reference:

The Migrant & Refugee Health Partnership. (2019). Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds. 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.body
Social-inclusion and non-discrimination is one of the social determinants of health (SD) described by the World Health Organisation (World Health Organisation, 2023). It is known to have various effect on health, a negative example being mental health issues based on xenophobia (UNHCR, 2020; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2024). Sudanese seeking refuge in Australia could be an example of those who may negatively be impacted. Although Australia has a framework to reduce friction caused by this SD in medical fields, the most common religion in Sudan, Muslim, is quite uncommon in Australia hence may not meet their needs (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022; Office of International Religious Freedom, 2023). As they cannot drink alcohol, have special dietary requirement and unfamiliar with English, they may feel isolated and discriminated (Attum et al., 2023).

References:

Attum, B., Hafiz, S., Malik, A., & Shamoon, Z. (2023). Cultural Competence in the Care of Muslim Patients and Their Families. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024). Social determinants of health. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/social-determinants-of-health

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Religious affiliation in Australia. ABS. https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/religious-affiliation-australia

Derr, A. (2021, September 10). What is Social Isolation? Definitions, Risk, Impact, and Solutions. Visible Network Labs. https://visiblenetworklabs.com/2021/09/10/what-is-social-isolation/

Office of International Religious Freedom. (2023). 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom - United States Department of State. United States Department of State. https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/

UNHCR. (2020). Social Inclusion of Refugees [Review of Social Inclusion of Refugees]. The UN Refugee Agency. https://www.unhcr.org/au/media/supporting-social-inclusion-refugees

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

# data[].attributes.headline
Common Health Issues in Sudanese Refugees: Tuberculosis

# data[].attributes.subject
Common Health Issues in Sudanese Refugees: Tuberculosis

# data[].attributes.body
Turbeculosis is a common health issue a refugee from Sudan may have on arrival to Australia, shown by many epidemiology studies on refugee camps (Abyot Meaza et al., 2023; Meaza et al., 2022). It is common among people born outside of Australia, especially in humanitarian countries lacking in hygienic living conditions. Turbeculosis is caused by a bacterial infection in lungs, starting latent but fatal if untreated and becomes active. They are contracted via inhalation of droplets produced by coughs and sneezes of an infected individual. Children or individual with weak immunity are most prone and are most likely to spread in overcrowded environments. Isoniazid provided over six to nine months is the preventative treatment for latent tuberculosis in Australia (Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide, 2024).

References:

Abyot Meaza, Bazezew Yenew, Amare, M., Alemu, A., Hailu, M., Dinka Fikadu Gamtesa, Kaba, M., Girmay Medhin, Gobena Ameni, & Balako Gumi. (2023). Prevalence of tuberculosis and associated factors among presumptive TB refugees residing in refugee camps in Ethiopia. BMC Infectious Diseases, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-023-08469-5

Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide. (2024). Tuberculosis (TB & LTBI). https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/tuberculosis-tb/

Meaza, A., Tola, H. H., Eshetu, K., Mindaye, T., Medhin, G., & Gumi, B. (2022). Tuberculosis among refugees and migrant populations: Systematic review. PLOS ONE, 17(6), e0268696. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268696

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
The pyramids of Meroe (Thomas Markert, 2017).

# data[].attributes.body
Sudan has a culture derived from a mixture of different cultures through their history, varying from Egyptian to Islamic (Essien & Falola, 2009). Nubian pyramids are great evidence which portrays the influence of ancient Egypt. Located around North Sudan, the name Nubia is from the Nile valley where the ancient Kushite kingdoms were once located. With approximately 255 pyramids still standing, Sudan has more pyramids than there are in Egypt (Thompson, 2022). These pyramids were created across many centuries over different Kushite capitals, first being Kerma from 2500BC, followed by Napata and ending at Meroë around 300AD (Lobban, 2021; Thompson, 2022). Like the Egyptian pyramids, Nubian pyramids served a purpose of tombs for kings and royals (Thompson, 2022).

References:

Essien, K., & Falola, T. (2009). Culture and customs of Sudan. Greenwood Press.

Lobban, R. A. (2021). Historical Dictionary of Ancient Nubia. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Thomas Markert. (2017). The pyramids of Meroe [video]. Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/243554031

Thompson, Emma (2022). These mighty pyramids were built by one of Africa's earliest civilizations. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/sudan-archaeology-pyramdis-kush-nubia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The pyramids of Meroe in Sudan

More on my travel blog under: http://www.photoneer.de

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Cuisine of Sudan (Embassy of Republic of Sudan, 2023)

# data[].attributes.body
The dietary culture of Sudan is deeply influenced by other cultures which had crossed path during their history (Mariod, 2023). They can be like the peppers and spices during the era ruled by Turkey, to teas from ancient Egypt. Kissra (or Kisra), a bread like food made by durra or corn are served as the main staples of the Sudanese tables (Embassy of Republic of Sudan, 2023). These are eaten together with different types of stew like dishes; Waika, Bussaara and Sabaroag for example uses Ni’aimiya (spice mixture) and dried okra while Miris is a stew that uses sheep fat. These are served on large plates and shared (Embassy of Republic of Sudan, 2023; Mariod, 2023).

References:

Embassy of Republic of Sudan. (2023). SUDANESE FOOD. Sudan Embassy. https://sudanembassy.jp/country-profile/sudanese-food/

Mariod, A. (2023). Traditional Sudanese Foods: Sources, Preparation, and Nutritional and Therapeutic Aspects. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Nubian musician plays his kissar (KrelisAd, 2009)

# data[].attributes.body
Traditional music of Sudan is derived from influences of many cultures from Arabic to western with their base being northeastern African. Sudanese culture has always been close to music, as they are used in rituals and ceremonies, encouraging communities to participate in these events. Sudanese music is recognized by their poly rhythmic singing and pentatonic percussion beats (Embassy of Republic of Sudan, 2024). They are perform using traditional instruments such as Kissar, a lyre type strings instrument and ngoma drums, sang in Sudanese Arabic and standard Arabic (Embassy of Republic of Sudan, 2024; Libin, 2014). The traditional music styles differ across different groups of communities in Sudan, like many other regions of Africa (Embassy of Republic of Sudan, 2024).

References:

Embassy of Republic of Sudan. (2024). Sudanese Music. Embassy of Republic of Sudan. https://www.sudanembassy.nl/sudanese-music/

KrelisAd. (2009). Nubian musician plays his kissar [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KXBYDdP0Og

Libin, L. (2014). The Grove dictionary of musical instruments. Oxford University Press.