Iraq Culture by Audrey Marquez

National food of Iraq: Masgouf

35296971 — 2024-12-09 10:30:49 UTC

Masgouf is recognised as the national dish in Iraq. It’s a fish, fresh carp that is butterflied and smothered in a spicy tomato sauce. It is cooked over hot coals and often served with a bed of vermicelli rice (Hilda’s Kitchen, 2017). This recipe promotes endocrine health by supplying omega-3 fatty acids from salmon, which reduce inflammation and support thyroid function, along with antioxidants from tomatoes and parsley that protect against oxidative stress. The other ingredients such as seasonings also contain health benefits. This meal can contribute to overall hormonal health and well-being (Natural Endocrinology Specialists, 2024).

Ingredients:

2 salmon fillets

1 large onion, finely sliced

2 tomatoes, chopped

10-12 pitted olives, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp curry powder

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

1 tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Juice of 1 lime

Juice of 1 lemon

1 tbsp white vinegar

Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Directions:

1. Marinate the Salmon:

In a small bowl, mix the lime juice, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper.

Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Let the salmon marinate for at least 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.

2.Prepare the Onion and Tomato Mixture:

Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.

Add the sliced onion and sauté until it becomes soft and slightly golden, about 5-7 minutes.

Add the minced garlic, curry powder, and cayenne pepper to the pan. Stir for another minute until the spices become fragrant.

Stir in the chopped tomatoes and olives. Cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to break down and the flavors to meld together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3.Cook the Salmon:

Push the tomato-onion mixture to the sides of the pan, making space in the center for the salmon fillets.

Place the marinated salmon fillets in the center of the pan. Sear the salmon for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and slightly crispy on the edges.

As the salmon cooks, spoon some of the tomato-onion mixture over the top of the fillets to keep them moist and flavourful.

4.Serve:

Once the salmon is cooked, transfer it to serving plates.

Spoon the onion, tomato, and olive mixture over the top of the salmon.

Garnish with fresh parsley.

Hilda’s Kitchen (2017). Masgouf Recipe | Iraq’s National Dish. [online] Hilda’s Kitchen Blog. Available at: https://hildaskitchenblog.com/recipe/masgouf-iraqi-fish/.

Natural Endocrinology Specialists (2024). Salmon Masgouf Recipe | Natural Endocrinology Specialists. [online] Natural Endocrinology Specialists. Available at: https://www.nesaz.com/recipes/salmon-masgouf-recipe/ [Accessed 9 Dec. 2024].

Traditional Health Belief of Iraq

35296971 — 2024-12-09 10:31:26 UTC

Hijama is a type of wet cupping that is a famous and traditional practice in several Muslim countries. This method entails pulling the skin into traction using a cup, which results in a laceration of the skin with drawing of blood into the cup (Rehman, Ul-Ain Baloch and Awais, 2014). Cupping therapy might be popular nowadays, but it’s been around for ages. It dates back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures (Ansorge, 2022). In modern medicine, cupping therapy has regained its prominence after declining in the 17th and mid-18th centuries. Cupping therapy is used to treat a wide range of illnesses, promote health, and prevent disease around the world today, especially in Islamic countries such as Iraq (Qureshi et al., 2017).

Ansorge, R. (2022). What Is Cupping Therapy? Uses, Benefits, Side Effects, and More. [online] WebMD. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/balance/cupping-therapy.

Qureshi, N.A., Ali, G.I., Abushanab, T.S., El-Olemy, A.T., Alqaed, M.S., El-Subai, I.S. and Al-Bedah, A.M.N. (2017). History of cupping (Hijama): a narrative review of literature. Journal of integrative medicine, [online] 15(3), pp.172–181. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S2095-4964(17)60339-X.

Rehman, A., Ul-Ain Baloch, N. and Awais, M. (2014). Practice of cupping (Hijama) and the risk of bloodborne infections. American Journal of Infection Control, 42(10), p.1139. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2014.06.031.

Domain 7: Professional

35296971 — 2024-12-09 10:32:46 UTC

Domain 7 revolves around “Professional”. For me, the most significant idea in this domain is the 12.3 competency standard as its bullet points are very significant for clinicians. I have developed my understanding of the high ethical standards that have to be attained by healthcare professionals to provide patient quality care. I realised how important these high ethical standards are for my patients. This knowledge will be essential to me in the workplace as someone who always wants to provide quality care for my patients. Initially, I felt an eagerness to practice these standards. Alternatively, this will be helpful for my future nursing practice.

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.

Social determinants

35296971 — 2024-12-09 15:26:30 UTC

Refugee Health Issues from Iraq

35296971 — 2024-12-09 15:33:32 UTC

Based on the Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide, one common health issue that refugees are likely to present with is mental health issues. More than 30% of participants in an Australian-based study on psychological status and mental health literacy among resettled Iraqi refugees in Australia met the criteria for clinically significant PTSD symptomatology, and nearly 40% of them reported experiencing severe psychological distress. These findings significantly outweigh those found in the Australian general population (Uribe Guajardo et al., 2018). According to the Australian Refugee Health practice guide, it is recommended for Patients with mental health issues related to torture and trauma) to be referred to a specialised torture and trauma service (Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide, 2024).

Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide (2024). Mental Health» Australian Refugee Health. [online] Australian Refugee Health practice guide. Available at: https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/ mental-health/.

Uribe Guajardo, M.G., Slewa-Younan, S., Kitchener, B.A., Mannan, H., Mohammad, Y. and Jorm, A.F. (2018). Improving the capacity of community-based workers in Australia to provide initial assistance to Iraqi refugees with mental health problems: an uncontrolled evaluation of a Mental Health Literacy Course. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 12(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033- 018-0180-8.