Reference:

Petrov, V. P. , Allchin, . Frank Raymond , Dupree, . Nancy Hatch , Ali, . Mohammad , Dupree, . Louis and Weinbaum, . Marvin G. (2024, August 26). Afghanistan. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Afghanistan

References:

Azoy, G. Whitney (2024, March 20). buzkashī. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/sports/buzkashi

Dupree, N. Hatch , Dupree, . Louis , Allchin, . Frank Raymond , Petrov, . Victor P. , Weinbaum, . Marvin G. and Ali, . Mohammad (2024, August 26). Afghanistan. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Afghanistan

Islam is the most prevalent religion in Afghanistan, practiced by 99% of the population. Friday is the Islamic holy day, and businesses and government buildings may close on Thursday and Friday. The Afghan Muslim population is divided into two parts Sunni and Shia (Merril, Paxson, & Tobey, 2006, p.4).

Sunni

Around 85% of Afghanistan's Muslims are Sunni Muslims, following Abu Bakr's Khaifahs can be elected, chosen by committee, or recommended by predecessors, and lower attributes can be elevated. Abu Bakr is considered a legitimate Khaliph.

Shi'a

14% of Afghan Muslims identify as Shi'a, following the Ahlul Bait religious teachings of Prophet Muhammad and his family. They view the first three Islamic Khaliphs as historical figures and Ali ibn Abi Talib as his successor. Shiahs accept the legitimacy of the Imaamah instituition, a leader appointed by God.

Merrill, L., Paxson, D., & Tobey, T. (2006). An introduction to Afghanistan culture. Retrived on July, 23, 2017. https://islamawareness.net/Asia/Afghanistan/afghanistan_article1003.pdf

Medicinal plants

The majority of participants used native or endemic medicinal plants, with 48.86% coming from wild sources. They used leaves, seeds, flowers, roots and other plant parts. Preparation methods included decoction, grinding, infusion, and postprandial. The study shows that most participants use medicinal plants to treat digestive system disorders, fever, microbial infections, skin mucosal illnesses, nervous system problems, and some malignant conditions, 239 species, representing 78 families, have been traditionally used (Mozaffari, 2023).

References:

Merrill, L., Paxson, D., & Tobey, T. (2006). An introduction to Afghanistan culture. Retrived on July, 23, 2017. https://islamawareness.net/Asia/Afghanistan/afghanistan_article1003.pdf

Mozaffari, A. H. (2023). Traditional Use of Medicinal Plants in Afghanistan with Special Respect to Faryab, Jowzjan and Sar-e Pol Provinces. Philipps-Universität Marburg. https://doi.org/10.17192/z2023.0682

I have improved my understanding of how to maintain balance between the needs of healthcare and family involvement which demands cultural competence has improved.

Having learned the importance of balancing family involvement with healthcare demands, I now realized the need for cultural competence, strong communication skills, and adaptability in care planning.

This knowledge is essential to me in the workplace becuase it helps me manage family involvement and care needs effectively.

Because I did not balance the family's involvement with the patient's care needs well, I now need to change how I handle family meetings to make care more efficient and effective.

Previously, I did not notice how crucial it was to balance the family's involvement with the practical needs of healthcare. I was focused on accomodating the family's presence and didn't know how this could delay decision making and complicate scheduling.

Equally, this could be due to my initial lack of awareness about how family involvement impacts the efficiency of care and decision-making.

(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 )

Pre-migration trauma and the strain of adjusting to a new envirnment frequently put these people at increased risks by restricting access to necessary resources and support networks in resettlement locations, such as housing, jobs, and healthcare. Poorer mental health outcomes are closely linked to emotions of pessimism and lessened sense of control over one's life that arise from a lack of social inclusion.

References:

Slewa-Younan, S., Yaser, A., Guajardo, M.G.U. et al. The mental health and help-seeking behaviour of resettled Afghan refugees in Australia. Int J Ment Health Syst 11, 49 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-017-0157-z

 Ziersch, A., Due, C., & Walsh, M. (2020). Discrimination: A health hazard for people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds resettled in Australia. BMC public health, 20, 1-14.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-8068-3

For patients with mental health problems linked to torture and trauma, referrals to trauma services are necessary(Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide, n.d.). To provide guidance on relaxation techniques and good sleeping habits, as well as psychoeducation on common mental health conditions and symptoms (e.g., PTSD, panic attacks, anxiety, depression, and chronic stress), social withdrawal, disturbance of mood, sleep, and appetite for depression. It emphasizes the importance of normalizing symptoms and de-stigmatizing mental illness. Giving counseling to enhance coping mechanisms and problem-solving techniques for the release of emotional pressure, independent of family and community relationships.

(Australian Refugee Health Primary Care for People of Refugee Backgrounds.
(n.d.). https:/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