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People supporting Afghan culture                                                         source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.go.com%2FPolitics%2Ftaliban-pose-threat-afghan-cultural-heritage-sweep-back%2Fstory%3Fid%3D79508223&psig=AOvVaw1jcWd8Ct0oBS_pjyC9_HPV&ust=1724916026418000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCMienouTl4gDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE:

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Gul-e-baboona                                                                                      source:https://www.google.com/urlsa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fm.indiamart.com%2Fproddetail%2Fnatural-gule-babuna-13613268997.html&psig=AOvVaw22QWWPsoEEYgEd_6pZDm4F&ust=1724916368810000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCLjX_K2Ul4gDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE                                           

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Gul-e-baboona commonly known as Chamomile is widely used in Afghani culture to deliver various health benefits. Chamomile belongs to the Asteraceae family. The flowers of the plant are dried. This is a traditional Afghani household remedy, usually taken as a tea. It helps to get relief from headaches, hypertension, anxiety, and even digestive issues(Amini & Hamdam,2017). Women often use it to get relief from menstrual cramps. It also improves the quality of skin. Chamomile is effective against abdominal and joint pain. Afghanis also used this in the treatment of malaria.

8 benefits of chamomile tea. (2020, January 6). Www.medicalnewstoday.com. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320031#benefits

Amini, M. H., & Hamdam, S. M. (2017). Medicinal plants used traditionally in Guldara district of Kabul, Afghanistan. International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Chinese Medicine, 1(3), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.23880/ipcm-16000118

Food science: C for chamomile. (2010, July 31).https://www.dawn.com/news/882522/newspaper/column

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The Competency Standards article deepened my understanding of Domain 1 and its standards(Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership, 2019) . I have enhanced my knowledge of standard 1.4 as I realized the importance of culturally safe practices. I understood the impact of different cultures on healthcare services. I learned that people from migrant and refugee backgrounds have different beliefs about health, illness, and treatment. Obtaining informed consent and providing culturally safe treatment is important. In some cases, it's essential to make combined decisions with family members to provide holistic and culturally safe nursing care. I realized providing patients with culturally safe care leads to better health outcomes.

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. https://culturaldiversityhealth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf

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Social inclusion and non-discrimination play an important role as social determinants for Afghan refugees in Australia. It affects their lives in various aspects. Social inclusion ensures equal access to basic needs for all leading to good physical and mental health. It also provides the person with emotional support and allows them to handle economic and material hardships(Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2024). Non-discrimination environments in the workplace, educational organizations, and various settings allow people from refugee groups to grow and support their families. Promoting social inclusion can help refugees to come out of their traumatic experiences and live a quality life.

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

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

Sacred Heart Mission. (2021, November 10). The importance of social inclusion. Sacred Heart Mission. https://www.sacredheartmission.org/news/the-importance-of-social-inclusion/

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The common health issues among Afghan refugees in Australia are chronic non-communicable diseases(NCDs). NCDs include conditions like cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, musculoskeletal diseases, and obesity(Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide, 2024). Cardiovascular diseases occur due to changes in diet, increased mental stress, and physical inactivity. The reason for obesity and diabetes is the shift from traditional food to processed items. One of the major causes of diseases is lack of access to healthcare and cultural and language barriers. However, these diseases can be treated by medical interventions, and by educating the refugee population about healthy lifestyle ways. Along with this, their emotional and mental wellbeing should be considered for better health outcomes.

Amarasena, L., Zwi, K., Hu, N., Lingam, R., & Raman, S. (2023). Changing landscape of paediatric refugee health in South Western Sydney, Australia: a retrospective observational study. BMJ Open, 13(10), e064497. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064497

Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide. (2024). Chronic non-communicable diseases in adults.https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/chronic-non-communicable-diseases-in-adults/

Mehdi, S. P., Pasricha, J., & Biggs, B. A. (2023). Hyperlipidaemia and Weight Amongst Afghani Refugees Attending a General Practice Clinic in Regional Australia. 25(3), 589–595. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-022-01446-1

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FIRNI(Afghani Custard)                                                                                                          source:https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FPhirni&psig=AOvVaw36kKNtS0gpZP06ww8CoB1O&ust=1724916519021000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCJD8jP6Ul4gDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

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Firni is traditional Afghan dessert. It is popular across Afghan culture and is served on special occasions. It has a wonderful texture and is very refreshing and comforting. Firni is rich in vitamin A and calcium and keeps the body and bones healthy.

Ingredients:

Milk

Corn starch

Sugar

Cardamom

Saffron

Salt

Rose water

Pistachios

Recipe:

Mix cornstarch with milk and add it to the heating mixture of milk and sugar(Mirriam Seddiq, 2022). Now, add salt, cardamom, saffron and rose water. Let it settle and then add custard. Cover it and let it cool. Top with pistachios and serve it with Afghani Sheer Chai.

Firni Afghan custard. (2023, May 22). Recipe Wise. https://recipewise.net/recipe/firni-afghan-custard/

Firni Recipe. (2020, May 18). Afghanaid. https://www.afghanaid.org.uk/firni-recipe

Mirriam Seddiq. (2022, May 17). Firni: A Delicious Afghan Custard. Afghan Cooks. https://afghancooks.com/firni-recipe/

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Eid Mubarak                                                                                                                           source:https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.afghancultureunveiled.com%2Fhumaira-ghilzai%2F2015%2F9%2F24%2Fan-afghan-fudge-recipe-in-honor-of-eid-al-adha&psig=AOvVaw22pOgO0q2tgWvE2qD721Ed&ust=1724916772135000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCICWuO-Vl4gDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

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Afghanistan is an Islamic country. The majority of Afghans are Muslims. However, there is a breakdown of religious demographics as Sunni Islam, Shia Islam, and Sufism. There are also a few religions in the minority like Hindus, Sikhs, Baha'is, and Christians (Wikipedia Contributors, 2024). The major part of the population is Sunni Islam 80-85%, Shia Muslims 10-15%, and minority groups only 0.3%.

Islam is a major religion, therefore Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are celebrated with full enthusiasm on a large scale. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha 70 days after Eid al-Fitr. During Eid people offer Eid prayers at mosques.

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

roxanna. (2024, April 10). Eid has Arrived: AAN wishes all a happy Eid al-Fitr. Afghanistan Analysts Network - English. https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/context-culture/eid-has-arrived-aan-wishes-all-a-happy-eid-al-fitr/

Wikipedia Contributors. (2024, August 15). Religion in Afghanistan. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Afghanistan#Demographics

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Official languages                                                                                                              source:https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DK9ZHEBzyJb4&psig=AOvVaw0FieszWiixWNmJHaxI2diT&ust=1724916862668000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCPCXxpmWl4gDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

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Afghanistan is surrounded by many countries like Iran, Russia, and China and encompasses many old silk routes(Canon, 1963). Therefore, it is a highly linguistically diverse country. People from different regions speak different languages. Pashto and Persian are the two official languages of Afghanistan. These languages are spoken by 12 million people across the country. Persian also known as Dari is spoken in central and Northern Afghanistan. Pashto is spoken in southern and eastern regions and has political importance. Many times the presence of two national languages leads to issues(Canon, 1963). The other languages often used are Uzbek, Turkmen, Urdu, Pashayi, Nuristani, Arabic, and Balochi.

Cannon, G. (1963). English and Other Languages in Afghanistan. The Modern Language Journal, 47(7), 314–318. https://doi.org/10.2307/319875

Wikipedia Contributors. (2019, April 30). Languages of Afghanistan. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Afghanistan

What Languages Are Spoken In Afghanistan? (2016, October 19). WorldAtlas. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-languages-are-spoken-in-afghanistan.html