NUR137 Multicultural Blog (34971621) by Mehakpreet Kaur Sandhu

Introduction: A Journey Through Tradition, Heritage and Medicine.

itsmehak2004 — 2024-08-27 05:06:10 UTC

Afghanistan, a landlocked country nestled at the crossroads of Central and South Asia, is a place of breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and vibrant cultural traditions. Often recognized for its strategic importance on the global stage, Afghanistan's true essence lies in its people and their centuries-old customs, art, and ways of life (Allchin et al.,2024).

Allchin, F. R. , Ali, M., Weinbaum, M. G., Dupree, L., Petrov, V. P., & Dupree, N. H. (2024, August 26). Afghanistan. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Afghanistan

Humaria. (15 August, 2022). Celebrating Afghanistan's culture, people and food!. Afghan Culture Unveiled. https://www.afghancultureunveiled.com/humaira-ghilzai/2020/10/22/afghanistan-heart-symbol

Dance: The Rhythms of Afghan Life

itsmehak2004 — 2024-08-27 06:24:07 UTC

Dance in Afghanistan is a celebratory act, deeply ingrained in social and communal life (Rahman, 2017). The most well-known traditional dance is the Attan, which is believed to have ancient roots in the region (Allchin, et al., 2024). Originally a war dance, the Attan has evolved into a dance of celebration, performed at weddings, national holidays, and other significant events. It involves rhythmic movements in a circular pattern, with dancers following the beat of the dhol (Gandhara, 2016).

Allchin, F. R. , Ali, M., Weinbaum, M. G., Dupree, L., Petrov, V. P., & Dupree, N. H. (2024, August 26). Afghanistan. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Afghanistan

Gandhara. (2016). Attan: A traditional Pashtun dance perfected in Waziristan. https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/waziristan-attan-dance/27728669.html

Rahman, H. U. (2017). Why are we afraid of attan?. The News on Sunday. https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/563201-afraid-attan

Dress: A Reflection of Identity and Tradition

itsmehak2004 — 2024-08-27 07:57:22 UTC

Traditional Afghan clothing is not just a matter of fashion but a reflection of the country's cultural diversity and historical roots (Hafizullah, 2005). The most iconic garment is the shalwar kameez, a long tunic worn over loose-fitting trousers, which is common across various ethnic groups. Men often pair this with a round woollen hat or a turban, while women may wear a chador or burqa as a symbol of modesty (Hafizullah, 2005).

Hafizullah, E. (2005). Culture and Customs of Afghanistan. Greenwood Press.

Satenstein, L. (2021, October 5). How One Afghan Woman Is Embracing Her Traditional Dress. Vogue. https://www.vogue.com/article/afghan-women-ethnic-dress-lema-afzal

Food: A Tasteful Journey Through the Land

itsmehak2004 — 2024-08-27 08:29:04 UTC

Meals in Afghanistan are communal, with a strong emphasis on hospitality. Guests are treated with the utmost respect, and it is customary to serve them the best food available, reflecting the deep-rooted cultural value of generosity (Hafizullah, 2005).

Bahary, F. (2020). My global table: Afghanistan. Food & Nutrition Magazine, 2(9), https://foodandnutrition.org/from-the-magazine/my-global-table-afghanistan/

Hafizullah, E. (2005). Culture and Customs of Afghanistan. Greenwood Press.

Afghani Culture: A Peek Through The Streets

itsmehak2004 — 2024-08-27 08:41:31 UTC

Afghanistan's cultural heritage is incredibly rich, with a history stretching over 5,000 years. This heritage has been shaped by various cultures, particularly those of Iran (Persia) and India, with traces of Greek influence from the Hellenistic period also present (Allchin et al., 2024). Throughout Afghan history, especially during the Mughal dynasty, this cultural mix thrived, and cities like Kabul and Herāt became key centres for art and learning (Allchin et al., 2024).

Allchin, F. R. , Ali, M., Weinbaum, M. G., Dupree, L., Petrov, V. P., & Dupree, N. H. (2024, August 26). Afghanistan. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Afghanistan

Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice Framework Domain One: Clinical Expert

itsmehak2004 — 2024-08-27 09:19:35 UTC

Upon reading the framework, the most meaningful aspect was competency standard 1.1. I have improved my understanding of the quality of care that should be provided to people, especially those with CALD background. Having learned that my care plan does not have to be standardized for all patients, I now realize how oblivious I had been about sensitivity to such details. This understanding will be essential to me in the workplace because I would be able to understand my patients better and tailor my care plans according to their needs. Because I have not yet applied this knowledge in clinical setting, I will now need to learn how to implicate these standards in my practice. Previously, I did not notice that I was making assumptions when I should not, but from now on, I plan on being more mindful of that. Alternatively, this could be explained by my background being vastly different from that of Australia, which did make me feel out of place about several things, and I do not wish to make my patients feel similarly in my care, where they should be feeling safe.

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/competency-standards-framework/

Traditional Medicines and Health Beliefs

itsmehak2004 — 2024-08-27 09:41:09 UTC

Traditional medicine and health beliefs play a significant role in Afghan culture, with many people relying on herbal remedies, spiritual practices, and folk medicine alongside or in place of modern medical treatments. These practices are often intertwined with health beliefs that emphasize the balance of hot and cold elements in the body (Amini & Hamdan, 2017).

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). https://doi.org/10.23880/IPCM-16000118.

Social Inclusion and Non-Discrimination

itsmehak2004 — 2024-08-27 09:57:43 UTC

Social inclusion and non-discrimination significantly influence the physical and mental well-being, access to healthcare, and overall integration of refugees into Australian society (WHO, 2005).

Social inclusion fosters a sense of belonging, which is vital for the mental health of Afghan refugees who may have experienced trauma, loss, and displacement (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2013). Non-discrimination helps mitigate feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression that are common among refugees (Department of Health, 2012). A welcoming community that values diversity can provide the emotional support needed to cope with the challenges of resettlement.

Australian Human Rights Commission. (2013). Social inclusion and human rights in Australia. https://humanrights.gov.au/about/news/speeches/social-inclusion-and-human-rights-australia

Department of Health. (2012). Part II: Non-discrimination and social inclusion. https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/pub-sqps-rights-toc~pub-sqps-rights-2

World Health Organisation. (2005). Social determinants of health. https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1

Common Health Concerns

itsmehak2004 — 2024-08-27 10:52:58 UTC

One of the most common health concerns that refugees coming from Afghanistan to Australia might face is deficiency of Vitamin B12 (Green, et al., 2017). This can be caused by continued and significantly restricted access to food, especially meat (Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide, 2018).

If Vitamin B12 deficiency develops and goes unchecked, it can cause macrocytic anaemia, symptoms of which include signs of anaemia, such as fatigue and pallor. Over time, due to increased haemolysis, jaundice can manifest, which can be deadly (Ankar & Kumar, 2022).

For managing symptomatic B12 deficiency, especially in infants and those with neurological symptoms, specialist advice from the Haematology and Metabolic units is crucial. The preferred treatment is intramuscular B12, with hydroxocobalamin being the first choice (Engleman, 2013). In infants with clinical deficiency, a typical regimen involves 250-1000 mcg of intramuscular B12 on alternate days for 1-2 weeks, followed by 250 mcg weekly (Engleman, 2013). Oral supplementation can be introduced once the child shows improvement, provided maternal B12 stores are replenished. For older children with mild symptoms, a daily dose of 1000 mcg oral B12 can be considered (Engleman, 2013).

Ankar, A. & Kumar, A. (2022). Vitamin B12 deficiency. National Institute of Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441923/#:~:text=B12%20deficiency%20manifests%20as%20macrocytic,also%20be%20a%20presenting%20symptom.

Foundation House. (2018). Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/

Engelman, D. (2013). Immigration health services: vitamin B12. The Royal Children's Hospital. https://www.rch.org.au/immigranthealth/clinical/Vitamin_B12/

Green, R., Allen, L. H., Bjørke-Monsen, A. L., Brito, A., Guéant, J. L., Miller, J. W., Molloy, A. M., Nexo, E., Stabler, S., Toh, B. H., Ueland, P. M., & Yajnik, C. (2017). Vitamin B12 deficiency. Nature Reviews. Disease Primers, 3(1), 17040–17040. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrdp.2017.40