In the entire world, Afghanistan ranks 3rd for having the largest displaced populations (United Nations Health Commission for Refugees [UNHCR], 2023). Most of them has fled to Iran and Pakistan (Watson Institute International and Public Affairs, 2015). This displacement is mainly due to conflict, violence and poverty, and consequently, millions of people are on the verge of starvation and hunger (UNHCR, 2023). However, with the aim of reuniting the refugees and overseas people like refugees with their immediate family, 26,500 visa places for Afghans has been kept by Australian government under the Humanitarian Program (Australian Government Department of Home Affairs [AGDE], nd.).

Reference list

Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. (n.d.). Afghanistan update. Www.homeaffairs.gov.au. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-and-support/afghanistan-update

IOM Australia. (2017). https://australia.iom.int/news/australia-announces-new-funding-undocumented-afghan-returnees-world-refugee-day

United Nations High Commission for Refugees (2023, July 18). Afghanistan Refugee Crisis Explained. Www.unrefugees.org. https://www.unrefugees.org/news/afghanistan-refugee-crisis-explained/

Watson Institute International and Public Affairs. (2015). Afghan Refugees | Costs of War. Brown.edu. https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/costs/human/refugees/afghan

As per some Afghan refugees, some illnesses are caused due to imbalances of hot and cold. To treat the illnesses caused by temperature imbalances, hot food as well as drinks are considered essential. Also, according to some of the Afghans, illness can be caused due to possession by evil spirits, witchcraft, evil eye or it can be the will of God. Moreover, most of the elder Afghans prefer remedies made from boiling plants and herbs at home over the Western medicine. Not only this, in Afghan culture, getting assistance for dementia and other behavioural health disorders is very stigmatized (Arizona Departmentf Health Services, n.d.).

Reference List

Arizona Department of Health Services. (n.d.). Community Profile: Afghan. https://www.azdhs.gov/documents/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/disease-integrated-services/refugee-health/providers/community-profile-afghan.pdf

I now realised that competency standard 1.1 is quite relevant to me owing to the realisation that I myself have some assumptions about different cultures including Afghan culture which can negatively impact my clinical practice. But after comprehending the competency standard 1.1 of the given framework, I have developed my understanding of how individual behaviours, values, and beliefs should be acknowledged and respected to assist shared decision making as well as to make sure that customised quality care is provided to meet individual preferences and needs. Also, failures of clinicians in meeting these can affect the trust, lead to non compliance to medication, concern and mistrust about accessing health carer and hence, adds up to poorer health outcomes (Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership, 2019). Conclusively, I can use this competency standard at workplace to improve my cultural competency.

Reference List

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

In my perspective, ‘social inclusion and non-discrimination’ is a significant WHO social determinants as increased life expectancy and lower morbidity has been linked to the extent to which a person creates bonds with someone other than their family. Also, people can be benefited emotionally and economically if they have strong social networks (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2024). However, refugees undertake exhausting journeys to seek international protection due to their country facing war or poverty. Consequently, their vulnerability to mental health issues and diseases rises. But most refugees do not have adequate funds to get proper treatment and have limited access to health services (United Nations high Commission for Refugees, n d.). Organisations such as WHO can be a big help in such situations as they were during Afghanistan crisis. WHO used funds received from donors to continue the health services for Afghanistan population (World Health Organisation, n.d.). However, according to a qualitative study of recently resettled Afghans, emotional responses such as anger, hopelessness, fear and dispossession were exacerbated in response to discriminatory experiences (Alemi & Stempel, 2018).

Reference List

Alemi, Q., & Stempel, C. (2018). Discrimination and distress among Afghan refugees in northern California: The moderating role of pre- and post-migration factors. PLOS ONE, 13(5), e0196822. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0196822

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

United Nations High Commission for Refugees. (n.d.). Social Inclusion of refugees. https://www.unhcr.org/sites/default/files/legacy-pdf/5fc126354.pdf

World Health Organisation . (n.d.-a). Afghanistan crisis. Www.who.int. https://www.who.int/emergencies/situations/afghanistan-crisis

World Health Organisation . (n.d.-b). The Right to Health Means Living No One Behind. https://www.who.int/health-topics/refugee-and-migrant-health#tab=tab_1

Diarrhoeal diseases, measles, parasites, respiratory infections, malaria, gastrointestinal disorders, hepatitis and tuberculosis are some of the common infectious diseases in Afghan refugees. This blog will discuss tuberculosis which most often affects lungs and is caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis. It spreads via air when people infected with lung, tuberculosis, coughs or sneezes (World Health Organisation, 2024). In most of the infected people, infection does not progress to active TB. In such case organism remains in state of latency, i.e., LTBI. The other state of TB is the active state which may further be primary disease which occur after initial infection or re-activation of disease. The lifetime risk of active TB among people with active TB is 5 to 10%, TST or IGRA can be used for testing LTBI infection. TB can be treated by isoniazid (10 mg/ KG up to 300 mg daily pregnancy category A) for 6 to 9 months. The duty of clinicians is to give language appropriate information to the patients and their family on treatment and its side effects (Denholm, et al., n.d.).

Reference List

BMC Public Health. (2020). Prevalence of active tuberculosis in refugee and asylum seekers by country of origin.

Denholm, J., Bailes, M., & Francis, J. (n.d.). Tuberculosis (TB & LTBI)» Australian Refugee Health. Recommendations for Comprehensive Post Arrival Health Assessment for People from Refugee-like Health Backgrounds . https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/tuberculosis-tb/

World Health Organization. (2024). Tuberculosis Www.who.int. https://www.who.int/health-topics/tuberculosis

Islam is declared as the state religion by the Constitution of Afghanistan by clearly stating that the followers of other religions may practise their faith, but within the limitations imposed by law. Also, women in Afghanistan from various faiths are forced to wear some sort of covering on their head by Muslim leaders. Not only this, government agency - the Radio and Television Afghanistan is instructed to broadcast content based on religious beliefs of Islam. As per Afghanistan Constitution, a unified educational curriculum should be implemented and courses should be developed based on Islam (United States Department of State, 2020). Moreover, Taliban seized its control over Afghanistan on 15th of August 2021, restricting the freedom of religion of all Afghans, along with those who have different Islamic interpretations (Hasan, 2023).

Reference list

Afghanistan religious affiliation (2009) . (n.d.). https://www.google.co.in/search?client=safari&sca_esv=d8e79e2fcec6965f&channel=iphone_bm&q=afghanistan+religious+affiliations&udm=2&fbs=AEQNm0AAii1lAhsPaaai4wByEaaipRAHWexzqXOes0FJK1_cCNcUFPPaxlyqBmr552nx3oLBdewXO5TQvVoinXe_GS1rpsIfz3aFcGbk7-BVZGPSDGSPf5WOO8WFjuj9FJzas6GtB_UtFpcP6C6PWQY0PO8ePfEwP46ia-QmzjIgFYxpwfv8cYGI2s_KQOzFYiyBqigYzl2jz99DudH1SYt-4sO4irHrng&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiDl5a4j5mIAxXZxzgGHVNpHS0QtKgLegQICxAB&biw=390&bih=663&dpr=3#vhid=7g1R5ild_1to7M&vssid=mosaic

Hasan, S. (2023). ISSUE UPDATE: RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN AFGHANISTAN UNITED STATES COMMISSION on INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2023%20Religious%20Freedom%20and%20Womens%20Rights%20in%20Afghanistan%20Issue%20Update_Final.pdf

United States Department of States. (2020). Afghanistan. United States Department of State. https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/afghanistan/

According to scholars, there are 30 different languages spoken by people of Afghanistan. Also, these languages are mutually uncomprehensible to each other. Dari and Pashto are considered as national languages of Afghanistan (Miran & Alam, n.d.). Talking about music, it is never religious but secular and less vocal but more instrumental. Pashtun’s music culture dominate southern Afghanistan while ‘Rabab’ being the closely associated musical instrument to them. In addition to this, folk traditions of Iran are related to western Afghanistan’s folk music where ‘Dutar’ is popular instrument. Apart from this, North India’s Hindustani Raga tradition is the classical music tradition of Kabul. However, Taliban is consistently trying to destroy musical culture of Afghanistan (Lorraine Sakata, 2012).

Reference List

Iran Press. (2023). Rabab instrument; What Iran is known for. https://iranpress.com/rabab-instrument-what-iran-is-known-for

Lorraine Sakata , H. (2012). Afghanistan: Multidisciplinary Perspectives The Meaning of “Music” in Afghanistan. https://www.asianstudies.org/wp-content/uploads/music-in-afghanistan.pdf

Miran, M., & Alam. (n.d.). The Functions of National Languages in Afghanistan Item Type Book; Serial; text. https://repository.arizona.edu/bitstream/handle/10150/661761/azu_afghan_acas_op11_1977_February_w.pdf?sequence=1