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Note: From Omid, M. H. S. (2018, January 23). Photograph of Afghan Herbs and Spices. TOLOnews. https://tolonews.com/business/afghan-herbs-and-spices-total-144m-usd-exports 

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According to the World Health Organisation, more than 80% of the world population relies on Medicinal Plants to treat their primary health ailments (Sadeghi-Nejad et al., 2011).

A study by Amini and Hadam (2017) revealed that 68 plants belonging to 62 genera and 30 families are used traditionally and as folk medicines in Guldara district, Afghanistan. They also found that liquorice roots were used to cure multiple ailments ranging from gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory to urinary tract diseases.The most frequent forms of administration were infusions (21%), powders (20%), decoctions (18%), fresh consumption (11%), and maceration (7%) (Karimi, 2023). People’s interest in herbal remedies is growing as they are accounted as safe, free, or affordable (Kassam et al., 2010).

References:

Amini, M. H., & Hamdam , S. M. (2017). Medicinal Plants Used Traditionally in Guldara District of Kabul, Afghanistan. International Journal of Pharmacognosy & Chinese Medicine, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.23880/ipcm-16000118

Karimi, A. G. (2023). Traditional Use of Medicinal Plants in Afghanistan with Respect to the Kabul and Parwan Regions. Philipps-Universität Marburg. https://doi.org/10.17192/z2023.0051

Kassam, K. A., Karamkhudoeva, M., Ruelle, M., & Baumflek, M. (2010). Medicinal Plant Use and Health Sovereignty: Findings from the Tajik and Afghan Pamirs. Human ecology: an interdisciplinary journal, 38(6), 817–829. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-010-9356-9

Sadeghi-Nejad, B., Saki, J., Khademvatan, S., & Nanaei, S. (2011). In vitro antileishmanial activity of the medicinal plant - Satureja khuzestanica Jamzad. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 5(24), 5912–5915. https://doi.org/10.5897/jmpr.9000740

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Nowruz is a cultural festival in Afghanistan. The name "Nowruz" comes from the ancient Avestan language which means "new day." The holiday celebrates nature's rebirth, new life, and fresh beginning. The celebrations include the preparation of ‘Haft Mewa’, which includes seven fruits to make a fruit salad.

The festival includes the welcoming of red tulip blossom and a tournament of ‘Buzkashi’, the national sport that involves horses and goats (Nowruz in Afghanistan, 2024).

In 2023, the Taliban regime officially deemed that the celebration of Nowruz was non-Islamic and Zoroastrian rituals, hence banned the marking of the spring equinox (Zan Times, 2024).

References:

Nowruz in Afghanistan. (2024, March 22). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowruz_in_Afghanistan#:~:text=Nowruz%20(Dari%3A%20%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2%20Nawr%C5%8Dz%3B,Afghan%20diaspora%20around%20the%20world

Zan Times. (2024, March 20). Nowruz ban: Suppressing cultural diversity in Afghanistan - Zan Times. https://zantimes.com/2024/03/20/nowruz-ban-suppressing-cultural-diversity-in-afghanistan/#:~:text=Normally%2C%20millions%20in%20Afghanistan%20would,non%2DIslamic%20and%20Zoroastrian%20rituals.

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As per the World Health Organisation, 'Social inclusion and non-discrimination' is one of the social determinants that is more important than health care in influencing health (WHO, 2024).

Although most Afghan refugees have successfully integrated into Australian society with the grant of citizenship, there are still factors like race, religion, gender, and class that differentiate their status in the society (Udah & Singh, 2019).

All these factors have generated poor health conditions, including psychological issues and post-traumatic stress disorder (Sanati Pour et al., 2014).

Ziersch et al. (2020) in their study to find the correlation between integration and social determinants of health, determined that hardships of integrating can adversely affect the health and wellbeing of the refugees.

References:

Sanati Pour, M., Kumble, S., Hanieh, S., & Biggs, B. A. (2014). Prevalence of dyslipidaemia and micronutrient deficiencies among newly arrived Afghan refugees in rural Australia: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 14, 1-8.

Udah, H., & Singh, P. (2019). Identity, othering and belonging: Toward an understanding of difference and the experiences of African immigrants to Australia. Social Identities, 25(6), 843-859.

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

Ziersch, A., Miller, E., Baak, M., & Mwanri, L. (2020). Integration and social determinants of health and wellbeing for people from refugee backgrounds resettled in a rural town in South Australia: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health, 20, 1-16.

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Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Domain 1; Clinical Expert

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Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Domain 1; Clinical Expert

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From Domain 1: Clinical Expert, I endeavour to apply the competency standard 1.1 into my nursing practice (Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership, 2019). As per Islam principles, the left hand is used for hygiene purposes; hence, it should not be used for waving, eating, or offering things (Evason, 2019). Having understood this cultural aspect, I will always make sure to use my right hand for greetings, touching, and offering items such as medications.

As a Buddhist myself, nodding is believed to be a sign of understanding and agreeing. An Afghan may nod to show politeness (Evason, 2019). I would ensure to follow up to ascertain they have fully understood what is being conveyed .

References:

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

Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership. (2019, January). Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds. https://moodleprod.murdoch.edu.au/pluginfile.php/4119639/mod_resource/content/3/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf

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Younos et al. (1987) found that digestive and respiratory diseases, respectively, were the first and second dominant health problems in Afghanistan.

However, as per Amini and Hadam (2017), urinary tract diseases were ranked second in terms of dominance. This could be either due to pollution of water in Guldara district, Afghanistan, or to the unhygienic living condition of the local residence.

As per Walker and Chaves (2016), a common disease attributed to a refugee is chronic non-communicable diseases such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).Treatment options for COPD range from lifestyle choices like quitting smoking to staying active and healthy to accessing emotional support (Lung Foundation Australia, 2018).

References:

Amini, M. H., & Hamdam , S. M. (2017). Medicinal Plants Used Traditionally in Guldara District of Kabul, Afghanistan. International Journal of Pharmacognosy & Chinese Medicine, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.23880/ipcm-16000118

Lung Foundation Australia. (2018). Treatment | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. https://lungfoundation.com.au/patients-carers/living-with-a-lung-disease/copd/treatment/

Walker, K., & Chaves, N. (2016). Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases in Adults.  Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide. Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Inc (Foundation House). https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/chronic-non-communicable-diseases-in-adults/

Younos, C., Fleurentin, J., Notter, D., Mazars, G., Mortier, F., & Pelt, J. M. (1987). Repertory of drugs and medicinal plants used in traditional medicine of Afghanistan. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 20(3), 245–290. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(87)90052-3

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According to a study by Handwerk (2011), Afghanistan’s wildlife is astonishingly doing well in the country’s remaining forests despite decades of conflicts among humans. Recent biological surveys in the war-torn and remote Nuristan Province, which is on the eastern border of Afghanistan with Pakistan, have found sightings and other substantial evidence of many species, such as Asiatic black bears, grey wolves, and leopard cats.

The team used camera traps, DNA proof found in droppings, and transect surveys through the country's last forest ecosystems to find these animal species between the year 2006 and 2009.

References:

Handwerk, B. (2011, July 14). Afghanistan Bright Spot: Wildlife Surviving in War Zones. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/110711-afghanistan-animals-bears-wolves-environment-science-war