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 A. Senegal or Gum Arabic Tree fruit is used against diabetes, chronic renal failure, diarrhea and ulcers. (Kuhnert & Karar, 2017)

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Health Beliefs/Traditional Medicine Practised by Sudanese People

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Health Beliefs/Traditional Medicine Practised by Sudanese People

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Whilst Western medicine is used and prevalent in most urban areas, the opportunity and access to this healthcare and medicine are limited, forcing many Sudanese people to use 'traditional' or herbal remedies out of necessity for their medical issues (Queensland Health Multicultural Services, 2011). The medicinal plants used by Sudanese people have been reported to provide relief and healing to many common problems like infections, respiratory system disorders, diabetes and others. (Zannou et al., 2021) One common traditional medicine used by Sudanese people is the Gum Arabic, commonly obtained from Acacia seyal and Acacia senegal umbrella-shaped trees. (Al-Jubori et al., 2023) Either from the fruit or exudated from the branches into a powder, it is traditionally used as an antiseptic on exposed tissue, against diseases like kidney and malaria, and also has positive effects against gastrointestinal and metabolic conditions like diabetes and diarrhea. (Kuhnert & Karar, 2017; Al-Jubori et al., 2023)

1. Department of Health. (2012). Herbal medicine. Better Health Channel; Victoria State Government. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/herbal-medicine

2. Kuhnert, N., & Karar, M. G. E. (2017). Herbal drugs from Sudan: Traditional uses and phytoconstituents. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 11(22), 83–103. https://doi.org/10.4103/phrev.phrev_15_15

3. Queensland Health Multicultural Services. (2011). Community Profiles for Health Care Providers - Sudanese Profile. Queensland State Government. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0031/157378/sudanese2011.pdf

4. Zannou, O., Hassan, A., Pashazadeh, H., & Koca, I. (2021). Traditional Uses of Medicinal Plants Consumed in Sudan. In ResearchGate. Ondokuz Mayıs University. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355370545_Traditional_Uses_of_Medicinal_Plants_Consumed_in_Sudan

5. Al-Jubori, Y., Ahmed, N. T. B., Albusaidi, R., Madden, J., Das, S., & Sirasanagandla, S. R. (2023). The Efficacy of Gum Arabic in Managing Diseases: A Systematic Review of Evidence-Based Clinical Trials. Biomolecules, 13(1), 138. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13010138

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In Sudan, their sport is heavily influenced by their time under colonial rule, as some of their most popular sports are horsemanship, swimming, wrestling and track and field. Soccer or football is the most popular sport, with the country forming its football federation back in 1936. Sudan's National team is part of the CAF (Confederation of African Football) and FIFA and experienced a strong period of success from the 1950s to the 1970s, qualifying multiple times for the African Cup of Nations, even placing 3rd once. Since this period of success, the nation has struggled to qualify again and has never played in a World Cup. (Embassy of the Republic of Sudan, 2024)

Sudan has experienced the most success in track and field, with many athletes representing the country at the Olympics, typically in long-distance running events. Ismail Ahmed Ismail is the only Sudanese athlete to have earned a medal yet, a silver medal in the 800m at the 2008 Olympics. (World Athletics, 2024)

1. Embassy of the Republic of Sudan. (2024). Sport. Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan | the Hague, the Netherlands. https://www.sudanembassy.nl/sport/

2. World Athletics. (2024). Ismail Ahmed ISMAIL | Profile | World Athletics. Worldathletics.org. https://worldathletics.org/athletes/sudan/ismail-ahmed-ismail-14225690

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The WHO social determinants of health are defined as the 'non-medical factors that influence health outcomes' (World Health Organization, 2024); one of these social determinants is social inclusion and non-discrimination. Social inclusion is a term that refers to the social disadvantage through the absence of resources, opportunities, participation, and skills necessary for fully engaging in society. (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2024) For refugees, adjusting to Australian culture and lifestyle can be difficult. 20% of Sudanese males and 32% of Sudanese females state that they can’t speak English very well, and a further 4% of males and 8% of females report they can't speak any English. (Queensland Health Multicultural Services, 2011) Many Sudanese refugees experience life-threatening assaults and trauma events before fleeing Sudan and in refugee camps. (Queensland Health Multicultural Services, 2011) Once resettled in Australia, Sudanese people may experience discrimination, which can take shape in the form of employment issues, creating social networks and social exclusion. Social exclusion through discrimination can lead to psychological damage and harm health through long-term stress and anxiety. (Rashki Kemmak et al., 2021) This can make the transition into Australian life very difficult for Sudanese refugees.

1. Rashki Kemmak, A., Nargesi, S., & Saniee, N. (2021). Social Determinant of Mental Health in Immigrants and Refugees: A Systematic Review. Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 35(196). https://doi.org/10.47176/mjiri.35.196

2. Queensland Health Multicultural Services. (2011). Community Profiles for Health Care Providers - Sudanese Profile. Queensland State Government. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0031/157378/sudanese2011.pdf

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

4. World Health Organization. (2024). Social determinants of health. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1

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The Republic of Sudan is rich in culture and history. During its long history, it has been under the rule of several empires and kingdoms, including the ancient Egyptian, Ottoman Empire and British Colonial Rule. Since 1956, when Sudan gained independence from British rule, the country has been in constant civil war between the Northern predominantly Arab Muslim Provinces and the Southern Christian Sub-Saharan African tribes. However, in 2011, after over 50 years of conflict and over 2 million casualties, South Sudan achieved independence from Sudan. (Queensland Health Multicultural Services, 2011) However, the current conflict in Sudan is due to the military uprising and overthrowing the previous dictator, Omar al Bashir, in 2019. The leaders of the coup, General al-Burhan, leader of the Sudanese army and General Dagalo of the RSF, have since fallen out, and the country has plunged into war over the last two years with no end in sight. (Ker-Lindsay, 2024)

1. Queensland Health Multicultural Services. (2011). Community Profiles for Health Care Providers - Sudanese Profile. Queensland State Government. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0031/157378/sudanese2011.pdf

2. Ker-Lindsay, Prof. J. (2024, March 15). SUDAN | A Forgotten War? YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbczdGuURVU\

3. Benoit, A. (2024). TikTok - Make Your Day. Tiktok.com; Doctors Without Borders. https://www.tiktok.com/@doctorswithoutborders/video/7356709882902383905?q=sudanese%20war%20today&t=1724735075340

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Imagine one latrine for every 600+ people. That is the reality for those living in this camp in Adré in eastern Chad — a transit site where refugees from Sudan wait, sometimes for weeks or months, before being relocated to other camps in the region. MSF USA executive director Avril Benoît just returned from eastern Chad, where hundreds of thousands of refugees  struggle to meet their most basic needs.  Her message: “The war in Sudan NEEDS our attention.”  #TalkAboutSudan #doctorswithoutborders #sudan #water

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@doctorswithoutborders
Imagine one latrine for every 600+ people. That is the reality for those living in this camp in Adré in eastern Chad — a transit site where refugees from Sudan wait, sometimes for weeks or months, before being relocated to other camps in the region. MSF USA executive director Avril Benoît just returned from eastern Chad, where hundreds of thousands of refugees struggle to meet their most basic needs. Her message: “The war in Sudan NEEDS our attention.” #TalkAboutSudan #doctorswithoutborders #sudan #water
♬ original sound - Doctors Without Borders / MSF

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Personally, I believe that the most critical competency standard is domain 1.2 of the Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice framework, as it describes the need for clinicians to provide trauma-informed care and modify their treatment to be wary of these potential experiences. This standard also taught me the need to differentiate between trauma-induced symptoms and medical conditions so as a clinician, I can gain the most informed diagnosis and assessment that can be performed. This knowledge is important to me when I am in the workplace because it allows me to be more culturally aware and respond more sensitively when helping refugees who may have experienced trauma before coming to Australia.

1. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. (2019). Culturally responsive clinical practice: working with people from migrant and refugee backgrounds (competency standards framework for clinicians). Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency

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Traditional Sudanese Clothing is rich in culture and diversity, reflecting the many ethnic groups within their history. As a majority of the population is Islamic, much of the traditional Clothing covers most of the skin to align with principles of modesty and privacy in Islamic teachings. (Wood-Boulanouar, 2006) Sudanese men's fashion is considerably duller than women's; men are often found wearing a white Jalabiya, which is a long, loose-fitting robe usually worn with a "tarboush" (fez) or "kufiyya" (headscarf). Sudanese women's clothing is considerably more colourful, and they often wear a thawb, which is a traditional dress made from a long piece of fabric. (Hansen & Obling, 2013)

1. Hansen, A., & Obling, K. (2013, March 27). Fashion on the streets of Darfur. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/27/darfur-fashion-streets-sudan

2. Colgrove, D. (2023, January 28). Traditional Clothing Of Sudan – AkoTaq. AkoTaq. https://akotaq.com/traditional-clothing-of-sudan/

3. Wood-Boulanouar, A. (2006). The Notion of Modesty in Muslim Women’s Clothing: An Islamic Point of View. New Zealand Journal of Asian Studies, 8(2), 134–156.

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Refugee Camp in Chad, Country on the western border of Sudan.

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Common Health Issue Faced by Sudanese Refugees

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Common Health Issue Faced by Sudanese Refugees

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Sudan has been coping with civil war and conflict, food insecurity and lack of basic necessities for over 20 years. Over half of Sudan's population today, close to 25 million, are currently facing food insecurity. (USA for UNHCR, 2024) These problems have caused Sudanese people to flee their country in search of a safer and healthier life. Due to their inability to access basic necessities, many refugees may be carrying or be exposed to infectious diseases such as Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). HBV is a common issue in the Australian Refugee Health Guide and can be described as a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease. (Maclachlan et al., 2018) Whilst there is a vaccine to prevent it, there is no cure currently, but regular testing and treatment can minimise its damage. (World Health Organization, 2024) The Australian Refugee Health Guide recommends consultation and lifelong monitoring with a clinician experienced in the management of viral hepatitis. (Maclachlan et al., 2018)

1. World Health Organization. (2024, April 9). Hepatitis B. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b

2. USA for UNHCR. (2024, August 7). Sudan Crisis Explained. UN Refugee Agency. https://www.unrefugees.org/news/sudan-crisis-explained/#:~:text=On%20April%2015th%2C%202023%2C%20violent

3. Maclachlan, J., Cowie, B., Isaacs, D., & Davis, J. S. (2018). Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)» Australian Refugee Health. Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide . https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/hepatitis-b/

4. Waitemata District Health Board. (2018). Sudanese Culture. eCALD Services. https://www.ecald.com/assets/Resources/Assets/C3-P2-S1-Sudanese-Culture.pdf