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Chamomilla flowers (HerbalSense Life, 2024)

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Matricaria chamomilla is a popular herbal medicine in Iraq, known for its anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, antimicrobial, and calming effects. Traditionally, chamomile tea has been used to ease nerves, improve sleep, and treat stomach issues and bronchitis. It is also used to heal wounds and soften skin (Al-Snafi, 2021). Studies show it contains powerful compounds flavonoids and sesquiterpenes, giving it antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and protective benefits (Al-Snafi & Hasham, 2023; El Joumaa & Borjac, 2022). Further, various research supports its use for anxiety, cosmetic and metabolic disorders (El Joumaa & Borjac, 2022).

Reference

Ali Esmail Al-Snafi, & Lawahidh Fali Hasham. (2023). Bioactive constituents and pharmacological importance of Matricaria chamomilla: A recent review. GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 22(2), 079–098. https://doi.org/10.30574/gscbps.2023.22.2.0477.

Ali Esmail Al-Snafi. (2021). Traditional uses of Iraqi medicinal plants (part 2). International Journal of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences Archieve, 2(1), 22–41. https://doi.org/10.53771/ijbpsa.2021.2.1.0057.

El Joumaa, M. M., & Borjac, J. M. (2022). Matricaria chamomilla: A valuable insight into recent advances in medicinal uses and pharmacological activities. Phytochemistry Reviews, 21(6), 1913–1940. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-022-09817-0.

HerbalSense Life. (n.d.). Chamomile flowers powder. HerbalSense Life. Retrieved November 28, 2024, from https://herbalsense-life.com/product/chamomile-flowers-powder/.

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(Cultural Competency Standards Framework, 2019)

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 Reflection on domain 7: PROFESSIONAL. standard 12.1

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 Reflection on domain 7: PROFESSIONAL. standard 12.1

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During my placement, I cared for a culturally diverse patient with strict dietary restrictions due to their faith. At first, I struggled with understanding the patient’s cultural and religious needs, revealing gaps in my cultural responsiveness (Cultural Competency Standards Framework, 2019). This made me reflect on my own biases and how they might affect care (Constantinou et al., 2022). By applying competency standard 12.1, I realized the importance of self-awareness and cultural knowledge. Active listening and adjusting care helped build trust and improve the patient’s comfort (Constantinou et al., 2022). Reflecting on this experience, I see that cultural competence is essential in nursing practice. Moving forward, I will attend training and seek feedback to enhance my cultural awareness, ensuring inclusive care (Curtis et al., 2019).

References:

Constantinou, C. S., Andreou, P., Nikitara, M., & Papageorgiou, A. (2022). Cultural Competence in Healthcare and Healthcare Education. Societies, 12(6), 178. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc12060178.

Curtis, E., Jones, R., Tipene-Leach, D., et al. (2019). Why Cultural Safety Rather than Cultural Competency Is Required to Achieve Health Equity: A Literature Review and Recommended Definition. International Journal for Equity in Health, 18(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-019-1082-3.

Cultural Competency Standards Framework. (2019). Culturally responsive clinical practice: Working with people from migrant and refugee backgrounds – Competency standards framework for clinicians. Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/.

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Education as a Social Determinant of Health for Iraqi Refugees in Australia

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Education as a Social Determinant of Health for Iraqi Refugees in Australia

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According to the World Health Organization (2022), refugee health is closely related to social determinants like education, employment, and income. Education plays a crucial role in shaping the health outcomes of Iraqi refugees in Australia (Slewa-Younan et al., 2017). Access to education significantly improves health literacy, enabling refugees to navigate the healthcare system and make informed decisions (Tomasi et al., 2022). Education also fosters social inclusion and mental well-being, reducing the risk of mental health disorders (May et al., 2013). Higher education and language proficiency improve access to professional care and encourage effective help-seeking for issues like anxiety and depression (Tomasi et al., 2022). Low education rates and poor health literacy create barriers to accessing health services (AIHW, 2022b).

Reference

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2022b). Australia’s health: Topic summaries. Australian Government. Retrieved February 16, 2024, from https://www.aihw.gov.au.

May, S., Rapee, R. M., Coello, M., Momartin, S., & Aroche, J. (2013). Mental health literacy among refugee communities: differences between the Australian lay public and the Iraqi and Sudanese refugee communities. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 49(5), 757–769.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-013-0793-9.

Slewa-Younan, S., Guajardo, M. G. U., Yaser, A., Mond, J., Smith, M., Milosevic, D., Smith, C., Lujic, S., & Jorm, A. F. (2017). Causes of and risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder: the beliefs of Iraqi and Afghan refugees resettled in Australia. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-016-0109-z.

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.

World Health Organization. (2022, May 2). Refugee and migrant health. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/refugee-and-migrant-health.

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(Photo credit: Washington Institute, 2020)

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Islam is the official religion of Iraq, with 95-98% of the population being Muslim, including 55% Shia and 40% Sunni (Wikipedia contributors, 2023). Islamic values contribute to spiritual health in organizations by integrating religious principles into everyday practices, promoting unity and fulfilling both material and spiritual needs (Wahyuni et al., 2022). For Arab refugees, faith and spirituality significantly influence their understanding and coping with mental health issues (Bridi et al., 2023). Thus, culturally sensitive care, which respects their practices and values is essential for building trust and improving cooperation among the refugees (Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide, 2020).

Reference

Bridi, L., et al. (2023). The influences of faith on illness representations and coping procedures of mental and cognitive health among aging Arab refugees: a qualitative study. Frontiers in Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1083367.

Wahyuni, W., Shihab, S. A., Talib, S. G., Mutlak, D. A., Hussein, R. A., & Dwijendra, N. K. A. (2022). Evaluation of the role of Islamic values in improvement of spiritual health among Iraqi Muslims. HTS Theological Studies, 78(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v78i1.7832.

Refugee Health Guide. (2020). Australian refugee health practice guide. http://refugeehealthguide.org.au/.

Washington Institute. (2020, May 8). The religious dimension of Iraq’s coronavirus response. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/religious-dimension-iraqs-coronavirus-response.

Wikipedia contributors. (2023, October 15). Religion in Iraq.

Wikipedia. Retrieved December 1, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Iraq.

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(Photo credit: Médecins Sans Frontières, 2013). 

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Common Health Issues of Iraqi Refugee in Australia and Treatment Approach

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Common Health Issues of Iraqi Refugee in Australia and Treatment Approach

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Iraqi refugees in Australia commonly face mental health challenges such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, largely due to trauma, displacement, and resettlement (Tomasi et al., 2022; Uribe Guajardo et al., 2018). These issues are more prevalent among refugees than the general population, with PTSD rates ranging from 4.4% to 86% (Tomasi et al., 2022). Stigma often prevents refugees from seeking care (Tomasi et al., 2022). A culturally sensitive approach, such as psychoeducation combined with trauma-informed counselling, has been shown to improve mental health outcomes while respecting cultural beliefs (Uribe Guajardo et al., 2016). The Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide (2020) recommends referring to specialized services and providing ongoing support, psychoeducation, and counselling.

Reference

Médecins Sans Frontières. (n.d.). Invisible crisis: Alarming psychological needs among refugees from Iraq. Médecins Sans Frontières. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from https://www.msf.org/invisible-crisis-alarming-psychological-needs-among-refugees-iraq.

Refugee Health Guide. (2020). Australian refugee health practice guide. http://refugeehealthguide.org.au/.

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.

Uribe Guajardo, M. G., Slewa-Younan, S., Kitchener, B. A., Mannan, H., Mohammad, Y., & Jorm, A. F. (2018). Improving the capacity of community-based workers in Australia to provide initial assistance to Iraqi refugees with mental health problems: An uncontrolled evaluation of a mental health literacy course. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 12(1), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-017-0178-2.

Uribe Guajardo, M. G., Slewa-Younan, S., Santalucia, Y., & Jorm, A. F. (2016). Important considerations when providing mental health first aid to Iraqi refugees in Australia: a Delphi study. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-016-0087-.