Having read Competency Standard 3.1, I now know I must use clear and effective communication in my nursing practice to ensure the patient understands what I am saying, and the details of the planned care (Migrant & Refugee Women's Health Partnership, n.d.).

This understanding will be essential to me in my nursing practice, because not assessing the need for or engaging an interpreter for a patient who is deaf or with limited English ability may be a breach of my duty of care (Migrant & Refugee Women's Health Partnership, n.d.).

I have developed my understanding of the importance of a risk assessment while performing my nursing practice. In a situation where an interpreter was not available, I understand the important of a risk assessment to determine whether the consultation is continued without an interpreter or the consultation is rescheduled (Migrant & Refugee Women's Health Partnership, n.d.).

(n.d.). Migrant & Refugee Women's Health Partnership. https://culturaldiversityhealth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf

A short common verbal greeting used by Muslims across the world is Salaam or Salaam Alaikum, which means "Peace be upon you" in Arabic ("Salaam (disambiguation)," 2022).

The custom of prolonged enquiries then follows, and it should also be noted, that it can be impolite to use a direct question to greet people in Afghanistan.

A common type of greeting is the handshake and the physical greeting of placing your right hand over your heart with a gentle nod will show both respect and sincerity during your exchange ("guide to Afghan greetings," n.d.).

Salaam (disambiguation). (2022, November 28). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved August 24, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salaam_(disambiguation)

A guide to Afghan greetings. (n.d.). Afghanaid. https://www.afghanaid.org.uk/a-guide-to-afghan-greetings

Social inclusion and non-discrimination are very important aspects of the WHO social determinants of health ("Social determinants of health," 2019), which can have a significant effect on a Afghan refugees’ successful opportunity to access the Australian healthcare system ("Social determinants of health snapshot," n.d.).

Because the Afghan culture often relies on their own social support network, it can be difficult for them to confidently access and progress through the Australian healthcare system. This factor along with the elements of discrimination ("Quick guide to discrimination law," n.d.) can have a negative impacted on an Afghan refugees ability to access the Australian healthcare system (Metro South Health, n.d.).

Individuals with strong social networks outside their family will benefit from practical and emotional support and networks to aid with finding work or economic and material hardship. This social inclusion can lead to improved mental and physical health which in turn, could result in increased life expectancy and lowering their morbidity ("Social determinants of health snapshot," n.d.).

Social determinants of health. (2019, May 30). World Health Organization (WHO). https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1

Social determinants of health snapshot. (n.d.). Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/social-determinants-of-health

Quick guide to discrimination law. (n.d.). Australian Human Rights Commission. https://humanrights.gov.au/education/employers/quick-guide-discrimination-law

(n.d.). Metro South Health. https://www.metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/242249/community-profile-afghan.pdf

The number of Afghan humanitarian entrants who had self-reported a mental health condition in 2021 was 1.113 (6.6%). After standardisation for age, the rate of self-reported mental health conditions among Afghan humanitarian entrants was lower than the rest of the Australian population (7.3% and 10.6% respectively).

Across all age groups of the Afghan humanitarians, self-reported mental health conditions, females reported more commonly than males. There were more than 1 in 5 female Afghan humanitarian entrants in the 50–59 and 60–69 age groups, who had reported living with a mental health condition. ("Health of refugees and humanitarian entrants in Australia, mental health," n.d.).

Health of refugees and humanitarian entrants in Australia, mental health. (n.d.). Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cald-australians/health-of-refugees-and-humanitarian-entrants/contents/case-study-humanitarian-entrants-born-in-afghanist/mental-health#

According to the Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide, Anaemia, Iron Deficiency and Other Blood Conditions are common health issues found among Australian refugees ("Anaemia, iron deficiency, and other blood conditions » Australian refugee health," n.d.).

Further to this vitamin B12 deficiency has been detected in Afghan refugees in Australia, predominately in cases where there is insufficient access to food (Benson et al., 2013, p. 1).

When vitamin B12 deficiency is indicated, supplementation is recommended. However, it has been suggested that dietary B12 intake after settlement in Australia is usually sufficient and it is unlikely that ongoing supplementation is required. Patients and their families should be advised of the importance of the principles of healthy eating to improve vitamin B12 levels ("Anaemia, iron deficiency, and other blood conditions » Australian refugee health," n.d.).

Anaemia, iron deficiency, and other blood conditions » Australian refugee health. (n.d.). https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/anaemia-iron-deficiency-and-other-blood-conditions/

Benson, J., Phillips, C., Kay, M., Webber, M. T., Ratcliff, A. J., Correa-Velez, I., & Lorimer, M. F. (2013). Low vitamin B12 levels among newly-arrived refugees from Bhutan, Iran and Afghanistan: A multicentre Australian study. PLoS ONE, 8(2), e57998. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0057998

Kabuli Pulao.

The dish consists of steamed rice mixed with sauté carrots and raisins and marinated lamb, garnished with almonds and pistachios. Saffron may be added to either the rice, sauce or the garnishes ("Kabuli pulao," 2024).

The high quality and price of “Kabuli pulao” ingredients makes it a festive and important dish in Afghanistan (Seddiq, 2023).

As people in Afghanistan have became wealthier and the dish more common, the name has changed from Kabuli Palau to Qabili Palau. This is to reflect the Dari name for well accomplished (Qabili) and the idea that only a skilled chef could balance the complex flavours of the dish ("Afghanistan's national dish - Kabuli Palau — Home | Afghan culture unveiled," 2020).

INGREDIENTS

2–4 tbs char masala

2 tps cumin seeds

700 g lamb

350 g carrots, julienned

250 g raisins

125 ml sesame oil

2  onions, sliced

4 garlic cloves, chopped

Pinch of salt

2 tbs sugar

3 cups rice 

INSTRUCTIONS – link to recipe below.

https://afghancooks.com/kabuli-pulao-recipe/

Kabuli pulao. (2024, August 11). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved August 23, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabuli_pulao

Seddiq, M. (2023, August 30). Kabuli pulao recipe - Afghan national dish. Afghan Cooks. https://afghancooks.com/kabuli-pulao-recipe/

Afghanistan's national dish - Kabuli Palau — Home | Afghan culture unveiled. (2020, February 17). Afghan Culture Unveiled. https://www.afghancultureunveiled.com/humaira-ghilzai/afghancooking/2013/10/kabuli-palau-afghanistan-national-dish.html

(Elaeagnus angustifolia L.)

According to a recent study published in the International Journal of Pharmacognosy & Chinese Medicine, 68 plants are used as traditional and folk medicine in the Guldara district in the province of Kabul, Afghanistan (MH, 2017, pp 3,4).

One of the plants located in this area is the Russian olive.

The concentrated essence of the fruits, seeds, roots and bark of the plant is taken orally for the treatment of sunburn, skin wounds, peptic ulcer and dysentery (MH, 2017, pp 3,4).

MH, A. (2017). Medicinal plants are traditionally used in Guldara district of Kabul, Afghanistan. International Journal of Pharmacognosy & Chinese Medicine, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.23880/ipcm-16000118