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A common health concern and treatment: Tuberculosis 

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A common health concern and treatment: Tuberculosis 

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Tuberculosis (TB and LTBI)  is a common health concern in Refugees arriving to Australia from Afghanistan (National Library of Medicine, 2023).

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that is caused by a type of bacteria that effects the lungs (WHO, 2023). Latent tuberculosis (LTBI) is when the organism remains in a state of latency, treatment for LTBI can only occur if active TB has been ruled out (Refugee Health Guide, 2024).

If active tuberculosis is still present, they will need to be referred for an urgent specialist assessment. A treatment prescribed for LTBI is 6-9 months of isoniazid (Refugee Health Guide, 2024). There has been a recent study that shows the treatment for LTBI in Refugees has had a high success rate (Refugee Health Guide, 2024).

References

Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide. (2024). Tuberculosis

Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Tuberculosis

National Library of Medicine. (2023). Infectious diseases in Afghanistan: Strategies for health system improvement

World Health Organization. (2023). Tuberculosis

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Communication: Non-verbal signals (SNTC, 2021, pp. 1).

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The official languages used by Afghans are Pashto and Dari (Afghan Persian), and lots of Afghans can speak several languages (SNTC, 2021, pp. 1). Although English isn’t known to be read or spoken by Afghans so, if necessary, an interpreter could be needed to help with communication (SNTC, 2021, pp. 1).

During communication, direct eye contact can be interpreted as immodest or bold (SNTC, 2021, pp. 1). When communicating with the opposite gender, Afghans will avoid continuous eye contact and lower their gaze (Evason, 2019). If a young person communicates with an elder, a sign of respect and understanding of the differences in their status is demonstrated by the young person lowering their gaze (Evason, 2019). Although, if communicating with someone who seems to be around the same age or gender an Afghan person could expect direct eye contact (Evason, 2019).

References

Evason, N. (2019) Cultural Atlas: Afghan Culture. Communication.

Southeast National Tuberculosis Center. (2021). Cultural Quick reference Guide: Afghanistan.

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The official religion of Afghanistan is Islam, but there are residual communities that practice other faiths including  Hindus, Baha’i, Sikhs and Christians (Evason, 2019). There is a social pressure to obey by the Sunni Islamic traditions because the Afghan government is established as a Sunni Islamic Republic and a large amount of Afghanistan population are Muslim (Evason, 2019).

In Australia, Islam is the religion 91.1% of Afghani Refugees identify as (Metro South Health, 2016).

References

Evason, N. (2019) Cultural Atlas: Afghan Culture. Religion

Metro South Health. (2016) Food and cultural practices of the Afghan community in Australia

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Refugees are consumers, job creators, investors, entrepreneurs, and employees (Telemigrants, 2024).

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Impact of social inclusion and non-discrimination towards Afghani Refugees

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Impact of social inclusion and non-discrimination towards Afghani Refugees

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A lack of social support and discrimination towards Afghani Refugees can create a barrier when navigating health care services (Metro South Health, 2016).

The WHO Social determinants of health can have a large impact on people’s lives and futures (WHO, 2023).

The social determinants, social inclusion and non-discrimination can alter Afghani Refugee lives by improving the way Refugees can participate in society, through increasing opportunities, giving them a voice, a greater access to recourses such as interpreters, and skills and respect for rights (AIHW, 2024). Non-discrimination will ensure that no Refugee is denied their basic rights such as health care services because of their race, language, religion, national or social origin, colour, gender, age, and other opinions (Sidoti, 2002).

References

Australian Government: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024). Social determinants of health

Metro South Health. (2016) Food and cultural practices of the Afghan community in Australia

Sidoti, C. (2022). Without prejudice: discrimination and refugees.

Telemigrants. (2024). Providing Employment Opportunities to Refugees through Remote Work

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Traditional Afghanistan Foods (Metro South Health, 2016).

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Food plays a major role in culture, gatherings and holidays in Afghanistan (Central Asia Institute, 2017). Food is seen as elemental in nature by some Afghans , and can produce hot or cold, or be neutral in the body (Metro South Health, 2016). Food and food practices are included in strict rules of the Islamic faith, they avoid pork and products with gelatines, and they also observe Ramadan. Ramadan is during the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, it is  period where fasting occurs (Metro South Health, 2016).

Two common traditional Afghanistan foods include:

Kabuli pulao – a meat of choice, basmati rice, water, cumin, cardamom, sugar, raisins, onions, and carrot.

Korma – meat, onions, turmeric, chilli, yoghurt, dried plums, garlic, chickpeas, tomatoes and ginger (Metro South Health, 2016).

References

Central Asia Institute. (2017). Afghan Food Celebrates Culture and Tradition

Metro South Health. (2016) Food and cultural practices of the Afghan community in Australia

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Domain 1: Clinical Expert, Competency standard 1.2 (Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice, 2019, pp. 12).  

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For me, the most significant aspect of the competency standard 1.2 was recognising the overall impact traumatic events can have on an individual (Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice, 2019, pp. 12).

I have developed the understanding that I will need to appropriately change the way I approach situations so I can provide care that will take into consideration the trauma they have experienced (Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice, 2019, pp. 12).

Having read through the explanatory notes under domain 1.2, I now know to be aware that people who come from a Refugee background are an at risk group who have most likely experienced great trauma, losses and hardship during their journeys of escaping and throughout their life span (Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice, 2019, pp. 13).

This knowledge will be essential to me in the workplace because when needed I will be aware of when to provide trauma-informed care (alia, 2010).

References

Australian Library and Information Association. (2010). Reflective Practice Writing Guide: Vocabulary aid.

Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds. (2019). Competency standards framework for clinicians.

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Map: Afghanistan is highlighted (SNTC, 2021, pp. 1)

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Health beliefs practised by the Afghani Culture

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Health beliefs practised by the Afghani Culture

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Some Afghans believe that illness is a way that God may test families and individuals, and for recovery to occur prayers, gifts to charity or fasting may be needed (SNTC, 2021, pp. 2). Other Afghans may believe that illness can be caused by a supernatural force such as ‘jinns’. A traditional remedy Afghans use for healing involves the sun, when sat in the sun the energy produced can be absorbed (SNTC, 2021, pp. 2).

Traditional medicine includes humoral imbalances, such as cold and hot, and tuberculosis is treated with dryness and warmth. Afghans view tuberculosis as a cold and moist condition. Treatments used for tuberculosis include a change in food consumed or climate and the practice of cupping (SNTC, 2021, pp. 2).

References

Southeast National Tuberculosis Center. (2021). Cultural Quick Reference Guide: Afghanistan.