# data[].attributes.body
For me, the most meaningful aspect of the competency standard was 1.1, which is to respond sensitively and without assumptions to the diversity of individual characteristics and backgrounds (Migrant and Refugee Women's Health Partnership, 2019). I have improved my understanding of my duty as a nurse: to create an environment where the human rights, values, and religious and spiritual beliefs of individuals, families, and communities are respected (International Council of Nurses, 2021). Having learned the competency standard 1.1, I now know the importance of delivering safe, high-quality, patient-centred care that is respectful and responsive to the cultural backgrounds of my patients. This skill will be essential to me in the workplace, given how culturally diverse Australia is. As an international student who dreams of becoming a nurse in Australia, I believe this is the first step to cultural competency and providing safe and compassionate care to patients and their families.

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. Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership. https://culturaldiversityhealth.org.au

International Council of Nurses. (2021). The ICN code of ethics for nurses. International Council of Nurses. https://www.icn.ch/sites/default/files/inline-files/ICN_Code-of-Ethics_EN_Web.pdf

# data[].attributes.body
Reference

Department of Home Affairs. (2021). Australia’s offshore Humanitarian Program: 2020–21. Commonwealth of Australia. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/research-and-stats/files/australia-offshore-humanitarian-program-2020-21.pdf

N Groen, S. P., Richters, A., Laban, C. J., & M Devillé, L. J. (2017). Cultural Identity Among Afghan and Iraqi Traumatized Refugees: Towards a Conceptual Framework for Mental Health Care Professionals. Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry, 42(1), 69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11013-016-9514-7

Refugee Council of Australia. (n.d.). Refugee Council of Australia. https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/

Szaflarski, M., & Bauldry, S. (2019). The Effects of Perceived Discrimination on Immigrant and Refugee Physical and Mental Health. Advances in Medical Sociology, 19, 173. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1057-629020190000019009

Tomasi, A‑M., Slewa‑Younan, S., Narchal, R., & Rioseco, P. (2022, July). Understanding the mental health and help‑seeking behaviours of refugees. Australian Institute of Family Studies. https://aifs.gov.au/resources/short-articles/understanding-mental-health-and-help-seeking-behaviours-refugees

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Social determinants of health. World Health Organization.

# data[].attributes.headline
Health issues that Iraqi refugees experience in Australia

# data[].attributes.subject
Health issues that Iraqi refugees experience in Australia

# data[].attributes.body
Iraqi refugees often face food security challenges due to prolonged food deprivation and inadequate access to nutritious food and clean water, before and even after arrival in Australia (Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Inc., n.d.). Malnutrition can result in conditions like anaemia and iron deficiency.

Anaemia is an indicator of both poor nutrition and poor health (World Health Organization, n.d.). Symptoms include tiredness, dizziness, drowsiness, and shortness of breath (World Health Organization, n.d.).

The prevalence of anaemia in adults from refugee backgrounds is estimated at 7–20%, and is greater in young children, at 23–39% (Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Inc., n.d.). Women of reproductive age and children are at higher risk of iron deficiency anaemia due to greater iron requirements (Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Inc., n.d.). It is also common for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet (Pawlak, Berger, & Hines, 2016).

Iron deficiency can be easily treated with iron supplements (Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Inc., n.d.). Side effects of iron supplementation include nausea, constipation or abdominal pain.

If iron-deficiency anaemia persists after three months of oral iron supplementation, additional examinations like gastroscopy and colonoscopy must be considered to find other causes, such as gastrointestinal bleeding (Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Inc., n.d.).

Reference

Emergency USA. (n.d.). Healthcare clinics in refugee and IDP camps. EMERGENCY USA. https://www.emergencyusa.org/prj/iraq/healthcare-clinics-in-refugee-and-idp-camps/

Pawlak, R., Berger, J., & Hines, I. (2016). Iron Status of Vegetarian Adults: A Review of Literature. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 12(6), 486. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827616682933

Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Inc. (n.d.). Anaemia, iron deficiency, and other blood conditions. Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/anaemia-iron-deficiency-and-other-blood-conditions/

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Anaemia. WHO. https://www.who.int/health-topics/anaemia#tab=tab_1

# data[].attributes.body
In Iraq, mental illness is often stigmatised, and there is a general belief that it is incurable (EthnoMed, n.d.). They may view reading the Bible or the Koran as a helpful intervention for mental health problems (Uribe Guajardo, Slewa-Younan, & Jorm, n.d.).

For Iraqi Muslims, they are required to pray five times a day, and this may be particularly important when they are ill (Abbato, S.,2011). Religion is important, and most people believe God can heal someone. Therefore, many will “stay home and pray.” (EthnoMed, n.d.)

Iraqi refugees are generally very receptive to Western medicine. However, those who are more conservative Muslims may refuse to take medications or treatment during the daylight hours of Ramadan (Huang, 2011). Some view that God has already appointed a destiny for mankind, and it is not appropriate to alter this destiny with human intervention, i.e. medicine (Huang, 2011).

Many Iraq-born people expect information about a patient’s diagnosis and prognosis to be first filtered through the family, with the family deciding whether or not to tell the patient (Abbato, S.,2011).

Reference

Abbato, S. (2011). Iraqi Australians. In Community profiles for health care providers. Queensland Health. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0028/158671/profiles-part-2.pdf

EthnoMed. (n.d.). Iraqi cultural profile. In EthnoMed: Cultural context for health professionals. University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center. https://ethnomed.org/culture/iraqi/

Calligraphy of the Quran [Image]. (n.d.). In The Koran and the Humanitarian Conventions. ICRC Religion and Humanitarian Principles blog. International Committee of the Red Cross. https://blogs.icrc.org/religion-humanitarianprinciples/the-koran-and-the-humanitarian-conventions/

Huang, J. (2011, March). Traditional medicine of Karen, Nepali, and Iraqi refugees.

Uribe Guajardo, M. G., Slewa‑Younan, S., & Jorm, A. F. (2016). Important considerations when providing mental health first aid to Iraqi refugees: A supplementary booklet for people working with Iraqi refugees (Booklet). Mental Health First Aid Australia.