Iraqi Culture & refugees by

Reflection, Domain 1

alyssavalerie07 — 2025-08-13 04:47:43 UTC

For me, the most significant aspect of domain 1(clinical expert) was 1.1, highlighting cultural sensitivity, unlearning stereotypes, and making culturally safe considerations (ticeCulturally Responsive Clinical Prac: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds COMPETENCY STANDARDS FRAMEWORK for CLINICIANS, 2019). I have improved my understanding of ways to treat people from different cultures, ensuring I am the best nurse possible and creating an environment where patients feel respected. Having learned what I must consider to be culturally safe, I now feel passionate about further improving my understanding of cultural needs, so patients feel heard, respected, and safe. This knowledge is essential to me in the workplace because I will see people from many cultures and must communicate and possibly change my practice to make them comfortable. Because I have not yet gained clinical experience, I will now need to be extra mindful of placement to ensure sensitivity. Previously, I felt I would always be culturally safe. Alternatively, this could be due to feeling like I do not judge others based on their background, but I still have much to learn (Reflective Practice Writing Guide Vocabulary Aid, n.d.).

Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds COMPETENCY STANDARDS FRAMEWORK FOR CLINICIANS. (2019). https://cbrhl.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Culturally-responsive-clinica.pdf

Reflective Practice Writing Guide Vocabulary aid. (n.d.). https://www.alia.org.au/common/Uploaded%20files/ALIA-Docs/Reflective-Practice-Vocabulary.pdf

social determinant: social inclusion and non-discrimination, and how it effects Iraqi refugees

alyssavalerie07 — 2025-08-13 04:48:59 UTC

According to the World Health Organisation (2025), social inclusion and non-discrimination are social determinants that influence health outcomes. Iraqi people seeking refuge in Australia experience social exclusion and discrimination, resulting in impacted health. Physical assault, verbal abuse, systematic discrimination, as well as general discrimination and exclusion are all common factors impacting the physical and mental health of Iraqi refugees. These social determinants lead to feelings of isolation, hopelessness, shame, fear, sadness and anger, taking a toll on mental health, possibly developing into more severe conditions such as anxiety and depression (Ziersch et al., 2020). Small acts of discrimination towards refugees, such as stereotyping and the assumption that they don’t understand English, can further worsen social exclusion, adding stress to social situations and making them feel like an outcast lacking community. This exclusion leads to poor mental and physical health, as refugees may avoid necessary services when needed, feeling as though they will not be understood or treated with respect, worsening their chronic illness (Song et al., 2025).

Song, J., Corcoran, J., & Zahnow, R. (2025). Understanding the impact of social connectedness on health and well-being among refugees in Australia. Journal of Refugee Studies. https://doi.org/10.1093/jrs/feaf036

World Health Organization. (2025). World Health Organization. Who.int; World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/

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), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-8068-3

common health issues experienced by refugees from Iraq arriving in Australia

alyssavalerie07 — 2025-08-13 04:49:42 UTC

Due to the high level of food insecurity in Iraq, because of economic instability due to conflict (Woertz, 2017), Iraqi refugees entering Australia commonly present with iron deficiency and anaemia (Australian Refugee Health» Primary Care for People of Refugee Backgrounds, 2023). Iron deficiency and anaemia can be a result of inadequate nutrition and occur when the iron stores do not meet the body's needs. Iron is required in the production of haemoglobin, allowing blood to transport oxygen throughout the body. When there is not enough iron, the body's tissues may not receive enough oxygen (Camaschella, 2015). Short-term effects of iron deficiency anaemia include dizziness, fatigue and weakness as the body is not supplied with adequate amounts of oxygen. Long-term effects may include a weakened immune system, leading to chronic disease, impaired cognitive development and increased pregnancy risks, including maternal death (Kolarš et al., 2025). A treatment option for iron deficiency anaemia is an oral iron supplement; they are easily accessible, convenient, and safe (Camaschella, 2015). An oral iron supplement is usually taken once a day, containing elemental iron that replenishes the body's stores.

Australian Refugee Health» Primary Care for People of Refugee Backgrounds. (2023). Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/

Camaschella, C. (2015). Iron-Deficiency Anemia. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(19), 1832–1843. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmra1401038

Kolarš, B., Mijatović Jovin, V., Živanović, N., Minaković, I., Gvozdenović, N., Dickov Kokeza, I., & Lesjak, M. (2025). Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Comprehensive Overview of Established and Emerging Concepts. Pharmaceuticals, 18(8), 1104. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18081104

Woertz, E. (2017). Food security in Iraq: results from quantitative and qualitative surveys. Food Security, 9(3), 511–522. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-017-0666-2

Traditional medicine used in Iraq

alyssavalerie07 — 2025-08-13 04:53:16 UTC

Herbal medicine plays a large role in Iraqi culture and healthcare, specifically Nigella sativa (black seed). Black seed contains an active ingredient called thymoquinone, which is known across cultures to have many health benefits. The benefits associated with blackseed may differ depending on how they are prepared and taken, including directly chewed, in tea, oil, powder, inhalation and paste (Hussein et al., 2025). It is heavily relied on due to its anti-inflammatory factors, antibacterial properties and immune-boosting abilities. The most common benefits associated with blackseed are helping respiratory symptoms (oil, tea, inhalation), gastrointestinal illness (tea, chewed) and general immune support (Abdulwahid-Kurdi et al., 2023). Blackseed has also been proven to decrease tissue damage in the case of infections, causing it to be used in place of antibiotics, especially with antibiotic-resistant infections (Hussein et al., 2025). Blackseed is widely available in Iraq and a staple in households, making it a heavily relied upon medicine.

Abdulwahid-Kurdi, S. J., Abdulwahid, M. J., Magaji, U., Aghwan, Z. A., Atan, R., & Hamadamin, K. A. (2023). Medicinal plants used in Soran district Kurdistan region of Iraq, an ethnobotanicals study. Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmacognosy Research, 11(1), 1–32. https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres22.1484_11.1.1

Hussein, N. R., Majed, H. S., Ahmed, R. H., & Abdi, A. (2025). The Effect of Nigella sativa on Infections and Inflammation: A Narrative Review with Focus on Helicobacter pylori. European Journal of Medical and Health Research, 3(3), 130–140. https://doi.org/10.59324/ejmhr.2025.3(3).19