Multicultural Health Blog: Syrian Refugee Case by

35421926 — 2025-08-31 08:58:15 UTC

For me, the most important part of Competency 1.2 is applying trauma-informed care when working with Syrian refugees. Many have lived through war and displacement, which may affect their trust in health professionals. In my practice, I would focus on creating a calm and safe environment, speaking gently, and avoiding potential triggers. If a patient shows signs of distress, I would involve mental health colleagues to provide extra support. This approach helps build trust and improves engagement in care (Migrant & Refugee Women’s Health Partnership, 2019).

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. [online] Available at: https://culturaldiversityhealth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf.

35421926 — 2025-08-31 09:02:13 UTC

Social inclusion has a major impact on the health of Syrian refugees in Australia. Discrimination, cultural bias, and language barriers can cause stress and make people less likely to seek care, contributing to poorer health outcomes (Mental Health Australia & FECCA, 2019). Inclusive policies, culturally safe nursing, and equity-focused health systems improve service access and trust. As nurses, we must deliver respectful care and advocate for inclusive practice every day (World Health Organization, 2021).

World Health Organization (2025). Social determinants of health. [online] World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health.

Inclusive Mental Health Reform: Highlighting Issues and Opportunities for Australians From Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds. (n.d.). Available at: https://www.pc.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/242430/sub524-mental-health.pdf.

35421926 — 2025-08-31 09:42:39 UTC

Vitamin D deficiency is a common health issue for Syrian refugees in Australia. Cultural clothing that covers most of the body, along with less outdoor activity during displacement, reduces sun exposure and increases the risk of deficiency. This can cause bone pain, weakness, and higher fracture risk. The Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide recommends supplements and safe sun exposure as treatment. Nurses play a key role in providing education about supplementation, diet, and follow-up to support recovery (Victorian Refugee Health Network, 2025; Cashman et al., 2016).

Cashman, K.D., Dowling, K.G., Škrabáková, Z., Gonzalez-Gross, M., Valtueña, J., De Henauw, S., Moreno, L., Damsgaard, C.T., Michaelsen, K.F., Mølgaard, C., Jorde, R., Grimnes, G., Moschonis, G., Mavrogianni, C., Manios, Y., Thamm, M., Mensink, G.B., Rabenberg, M., Busch, M.A. and Cox, L. (2016). Vitamin D deficiency in Europe: pandemic? The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, [online] 103(4), pp.1033–1044. doi:https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.115.120873.

Victorian Refugee Health Network (n.d.). Victorian Refugee Health Network. [online] Victorian Refugee Health Network. Available at: https://refugeehealthnetwork.org.au/.

35421926 — 2025-08-31 09:44:56 UTC

Herbal teas are part of daily health practices in Syria. A study from coastal Syria recorded 49 plants used in tea mixtures, many for digestion and breathing problems. These remedies are important for cultural identity and family life. As nurses, we should respect such traditions while ensuring safety with prescribed medicines. WHO also highlights the value of traditional medicine in building culturally responsive health systems (Sulaiman & Polesny, 2021; World Health Organization, 2013).

Pessoa, R.F., Duarte Figueiredo, I.A., Dantas Ferreira, S.R., Lima de Farias Cavalcanti Silva, A.R., Marinho Paiva, R.L., Cordeiro, L.V., de Oliveira Lima, E., Cabrera, S.P., Sarmento Silva, T.M. and de Andrade Cavalcante, F. (2021). Investigation of ethnomedicinal use of Commiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J. B. Gillett (Burseraceae) in treatment of diarrhea. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 268, p.113564. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113564.

WHO (2000). General guidelines for methodologies on research and evaluation of traditional medicine. [online] www.who.int. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241506090.