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Image: Seddiq, M. (2021, September 5). Kabuli pulao recipe - Afghan National Dish. Afghan Cooks.

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Kabuli Palaw is considered a favoured national dish due to its uniquness and quality ingredients, as well as symbolising festivity and family. A staple among families, this dish is traditionally placed in the middle, with other foods making up the perimeter. This dish consists of slow cooked meat, with seasoned rice, lentils, carrots, ground cardamom, nuts and raisins for added sweetness. Lamb shank is most popular and served, alongside chicken and beef. As Afghanistan is a Muslim-centred country, pork is forbidden to use. Recommended to serve hot and best paired with some naan, curry, salads or even on its own.

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Image: Afghanistan Clothing Culture. (2023)

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Afghan clothing are all long, flowy and modest, as this benefits the people from the harsh sun by cooling the body temperature with the shade. Fully clothed and modest garments are also a requirement when practising Islam, which is the majority if the population. Traditionally, men wear tunic shirts and pants, and often head covering. Typically, they aren’t colorful as opposed to traditional women's clothing. Women would wear long, loose clothing made from light linen, stitching and embroidery for decorations, and head scarves to cover their hair. For special occasions such as weddings, dresses may utilise premium fabric such as silk and is much more vibrant, and is decorated with gold thread, beads and accessories.

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I visited Afghanistan as a tourist: 5 reasons why #afghan#afghanistan#taliban#traveler#worldtravel

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Image: Health of refugees and humanitarian entrants in Australia, Long-term health conditions. (2023, November 3). Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

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Refugees from Afghanistan would exhibit common infectious diseases such as diarrheal diseases, respiratory infections, measles, intestinal parasites and gastrointestinal disorders, malaria, tuberculosis and hepatitis. Other common health concerns include cavities, skin conditions ophthalmic disease and kidney disease (Community Profile: Afghanistan (n.d.)). However, mental health is one of the more prevalent health issues exhibited by Afghan refugees in Australia.  Refugees will undergo an assessment that will evaluate their emotional well-being, suicide potential, trauma, behavioural difficulties and developmental progress to name a few. Managing trauma and torture will be referred to a trauma specialist, and generally not advisable to share their experience.

Treatments may not fully cure their challenges with mental health, but according to Mental Health» Australian Refugee Health (n.d.) will assist in reducing it; such as: having a support group to reduce the feeling of isolation (e.g. counsellor, entering a community with people of the same culture/country, community relationships, etc.), advice on regular exercise and proper nutrition, having proper sleep hygiene and educating on common mental health symptoms (such as depression, PTSD, disturbance of mood, etc.)

Australian Refugee Health» Primary Care for People of Refugee Backgrounds. (n.d.). Retrieved August 20, 2024, from https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/

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Contrary to Western culture, Afghan refugees believe that modern technology and medicine have less of an impact on unnatural illness, though doctors are still well-respected. They instead rely on hands-on evaluation, performing prayers and reading Quranic verses, as some believe that illness are caused by evil spirits, evil eye, witchcraft or the will of God (Allah SWT). Some may also believe that illness are caused by the imbalance of ‘hot and cold forces’ within the body. Islam places a high regard on practising good and proper hygiene and self health. Washing before prayer, regular exercise, good sleep, eating fresh food, staying warm, having a balanced diet and a deep connection spiritually within oneself are seen as important health (Health QLD (2011)).

https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0032/156398/afghan2011.pdf

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Image: 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.

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As a nursing student from Australia, I underestimated how common it is for some refugees to be hesitant for assistance. I started to wonder this and thought that refugees come from a place where there were no help. It’s great that they came to a country with better opportunities, but it saddens me when some people didn’t know the concept of consent or follow-ups. If I was a refugee living in Afghanistan, would I know what proper care and what a follow-up appointment was? Would I know what consent is?If I’m a nurse, I will make sure that my patient receives proper instructions, treatment and care.This topic made me aware that common sense and knowledge in developed countries may not be reciprocated in struggling countries.

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.

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While many Afghan refugees are happy to seek help with Australia’s aid, they face many challenges when starting a new life. According to Metro South Queensland, language barriers, culture shock, and especially discrimination, low rates of employment and social challenges are the struggles that Afghan refugees face today. Afghans especially rely much on their social network. When arriving to Australia with minimal English, this creates a lack of network which leads to a loss of confidence accessing to health care. Discrimination towards their names and actions has also been reported to prevent them from accessing simple health care. This sometimes could lead to a deterioration of health such as depression and social isolation. (108 words)

Metro South Queensland. (n.d.). Afghan Australians. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0032/156398/afghan2011.pdf