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Oudhia, P. (2012, November 25). Birbahuti (Trombidium red velvet mite) is used as Unani medicine [Photograph]. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trombidium.jpg 

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The foundation of Afghan traditional medicine is unani medicine. Through traditional herbalists, Hakims, Afghans can learn the practice of Unani medicine, an alternate form of traditional medicine (Southeastern National Tuberculosis Centre, 2021). Hakims are practitioners who treat various illnesses using an integrated approach, including herbal treatments, dietary practices, and therapeutic methods. Particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare may be limited, this highly regarded practice is frequently used in Afghan communities along with modern treatment (Ahmad, 2017, p.2). Unani medicine, which takes its foundations from Islamic and classical Greek medicine, emphasizes the four humors: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile (Islam et al., 2009).

Miraj, S., & Kiani, S. (2016). Ascientific correlation between dysteprament in Unani medicine and diseases: A systematc review. Electronic Physician, 8(11), 3240-3247. https://doi.org/10.19082/3240

Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center. (2024, January 11). Cultural Quick Reference Guide: Afghanistan | National Prevention Information Network. Cdc.gov. https://npin.cdc.gov/publication/cultural-quick-reference-guide-afghanistan

Graz, B., & Itrat, M. (2022). A journey through Unani medicine in the West: An exploratory case study. Journal of Research in Unani Medicine, 11(1), 93–98. https://doi.org/10.4103/JRUM.JRUM_22_23

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Language and communication in Afghanistan 

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Language and communication in Afghanistan 

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The two main languages of Afghanistan are Dari and Pashto spoken by most of the population. Dari is a dialect of Persian and Pashto is mainly spoken in the East and South (Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center, 2021). Afghan cultures value formal and respectful communication and use indirect language to maintain politeness (IU School of Medicine, 2021).

Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center. (2024, January 11). Cultural Quick Reference Guide: Afghanistan | National Prevention Information Network. Cdc.gov. https://npin.cdc.gov/publication/cultural-quick-reference-guide-afghanistan

IU School of Medicine. (2021, September 9). Information about our Afghan community. IU School of Medicine. https://medicine.iu.edu/blogs/spirit-of-medicine/information-about-our-afghan-community

Dupree, L. , Weinbaum, . Marvin G. , Dupree, . Nancy Hatch , Ali, . Mohammad , Petrov, . Victor P. and Allchin, . Frank Raymond (2024, August 26). Afghanistan. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Afghanistan

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Afghanistan is primarily a Muslim country, with the great majority of Afghans practicing Sunni Islam (Evason, 2019) Shia Islam is practiced by a lesser percentage of the population, mostly Hazara people (SCA, n.d.). Islamic customs and festivals like Ramadan and Eid are considered sacred in Afghanistan. Mosques play an important role in the community and serve as places of worship, education, and social gatherings. One of the most important aspects of Afghan cultural heritage is their religious identity.

Evason, N. (2019). Afghan culture: Religion. Cultural Atlas. https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/afghan-culture/afghan-culture-religion

asianculturefestival. (2024). Afghanistan Celebrations | Asian Culture Festival. Asianculturefestival.net. https://asianculturefestival.net/2024/02/afghanistan-celebrations/#:~:text=Eid%20e%20Fitr%3A%20Rejoice%20in

SCA. (n.d.). Religion in Afghanistan – SCA. Swedish Committee for Afghanistan. https://swedishcommittee.org/religion/

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Kabuli Pulao is one of Afghanistan's most famous and popular dishes (Kelly, 2023). This tasty rice dish consists of long-grain basmati rice cooked with soft lamb or chicken. Caramelized carrots, raisins, and almonds are added on top. A combination of fragrant spices, including saffron, cumin, and cardamom are used to season the food giving it a distinct and rich flavor. This dish tastes well with yogurt or salad, which beautifully captures the warmth and vibrancy of Afghan culture. Kabuli pulao is a representation of Afghan hospitality (Drzazgowski, 2024). It is one of the main dishes in family gatherings.

Drzazgowski., A. (2018, June 25). Kabuli Pulao (Spiced Lamb Pilaf) from Afghanistan. The Foreign Fork. https://foreignfork.com/kabuli-pulao/

Seddiq, M. (2021, May 9). Kabuli pulao recipe – Afghan national dish. Afghan Cooks. https://afghancooks.com/kabuli-pulao-recipe/

Kelly. (2023, December 3). Vegetarian Kabuli Pulao (Afghan Rice) - Earth to Veg. Earth to Veg. https://earthtoveg.com/vegetarian-kabuli-pulao-afghan-rice/

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For me, the most important aspect of competency standard 1.3 was providing effective and meaningful care for patients with Afghani backgrounds by understanding their unique culture. I have improved my understanding of how Australian cultural and linguistic diversity benefits patients, especially migrants or refugees (Cultural Diversity in Health, 2019). Having learned, I realize that now I am more capable of providing them care that respects their values and makes them feel more comfortable. This knowledge is essential for me in the workplace because I can understand the particular health issues these patients face which are influenced by social, cultural, and migration factors. I did not yet know how much their cultural beliefs and past experiences affect their current state of health. Subsequently, I realized that a lot of Afghans would have poor health because of their past experiences and difficulties with communication. Alternatively, this could be due to the trauma that many Afghani patients have gone through during their migration (Tomasi et al., 2022). By understanding their challenges I can improve my nursing practice and promote better health conditions for individuals with migrant and refugee histories (Desmyth et al., 2021).

Australian Government Department of Health. (2019). Culturally responsive clinical practice: Working with people from migrant and refugee backgrounds competency standards framework for clinicians. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia.

Desmyth, K., Eagar, S., Jones, M., Schmidt, L., & Williams, J. (2021). Refugee health nursing. Journal of advanced nursing, 77(10), e30–e32. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14910

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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Social inclusion and non-discrimination are essential for the well-being of Afghani refugees in Australia. In Australia, social inclusion for Afghani refugees is being able to fully participate in society without facing discrimination because of their language, religion, or cultural heritage. Moreover, it is important to fight discrimination in hospital environments. Refugees who are facing social inclusion and discrimination are more likely to report mental health problems (Cheng et al., 2015). Australian government conducted many studies to identify the barriers that Afghan refugees face in Australian society and help these communities overcome these barriers (Rezaei et al., 2021).

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

Cheng, I-Hao., 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. https://doi.org/10.1071/py13137

Staff, A. (2021a, December 13). Afghan refugees face discrimination, employment and social challenges in Australia. ANMJ. https://anmj.org.au/afghan-refugees-face-discrimination-employment-and-social-challenges-in-australia/

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Studies among Afghan refugees discovered an increased rate of anxiety, depression, and Post-traumatic Stress disorder (Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide, 2021). When refugees get to Australia, they have to adjust to a new environment full of stressful situations like housing instability, language barriers, and missing cultural connections (Smith et al., 2019). Studies show that an important percentage of refugees have been exposed to a history of torture and other serious traumas (Tomasi et al., 2022). These mental issues can be severe by moving to a new nation. The Australian government provides culturally sensitive care to address these challenges, such as Transcultural Mental Health Services Programs like counseling, community support, and culturally adapted therapies help to improve the physical, mental, and overall well-being of Afghan refugees (New South Wales Health, n.d.).

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

Smith, L. A., Reynish, T., Hoang, H., Mond, J., Hannah, C., McLeod, K., Auckland, S., & Slewa-Younan, S. (2019). The mental health of former refugees in regional Australia: A qualitative study. The Australian Journal of Rural Health, 27(5), 459–462. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajr.12583

Australian Refugee Health. (2021). Primary care for people of refugee backgrounds. In Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/

New South Wales Health. (n.d.). Afghan community mental health profile. Transcultural Mental Health Centre. https://www.dhi.health.nsw.gov.au/transcultural-mental-health-centre-tmhc/resources/community-mental-health-profiles-and-information-resources/afghan-community-mental-health-profile#:~:text=Transcultural%20Mental%20Health%20Line%201800,Line%20on%201800%20648%2091