Sudanese Culture and Health by Mikayla Morrison

Sudanese Health Beliefs

mikaylagm11 — 2024-08-28 05:01:13 UTC

Many developing countries, such as Sudan, don’t get consistent access to westernised healthcare (Mohammed & Babikir, 2013). This means that more traditional perceptions of health are trusted and lived by. These traditional perceptions can include disorders like epilepsy being viewed as a supernatural occurrence involved with spirit possession and not a health disorder (Mohammed & Babikir, 2013). Before seeking professional medical help, some Sudanese people would pursue spiritual and ritual treatments, or traditional medicine. Some traditional medicines include herbs, black cumin, honey and olive oil (Mohammed & Babikir, 2013). Due to these strong health beliefs, introducing westernised healthcare and the beneficial outcomes, may be difficult to do so, but can be done through mutual understanding and rapport.

Mohammed, I. N., & Babikir, H. E. (2013). Traditional and spiritual medicine among Sudanese children with epilepsy. Sudanese journal of paediatrics, 13(1), 31–37.

Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds

mikaylagm11 — 2024-08-28 05:02:24 UTC

For me, the most useful points from the chosen framework in Domain 1 is standard 1.1. When in the healthcare system as a healthcare provider, it is valuable to treat each patient as an individual and cater to their specific needs. When working with refugee patients, I would like to do this whilst also being aware of social determinants that may require information to be provided differently. Having the knowledge from the framework, is essential in working with Sudanese Refugees in Australian healthcare as it will assist in building rapport and comfortability for these patients.

Migrants & Refugee Womens Health Partnership. (2019). Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds.https://moodleprod.murdoch.edu.au/pluginfile.php/4119639/mod_resource/content/3/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf

Effects of Social inclusion and Non-discrimination on Sudanese Refugees

mikaylagm11 — 2024-08-28 05:03:27 UTC

Social inclusion as a WHO social determinant refers to the relationships formed outside of a family circle. This includes in the community and has a direct link to being healthy and an increase in life expectancy (Social determinants of health snapshot, n.d.). Milner and Khawaja (2010) highlight the occurrence of acculturation and acculturation stress that comes with that for Sudanese refugees. As these refugees struggle to balance practising their own culture whilst familiarising themselves with a new one, it can take a huge toll on physical and mental health. As refugees have fled war, poverty or some form of conflict, having access to a community in healthcare, school and work can decrease the vulnerability of physical and mental health issues (Social inclusion of refugees, n.d.). Social inclusion and non-discrimination has the power to have a positive impact on Sudanese refugees as it can give them a sense of community and safety. This in turn can improve the health and wellbeing of Sudanese refugees through solidarity and commonality.

Milner, K., & Khawaja, N. G. (2010). Sudanese Refugees in Australia: The Impact of Acculturation Stress. Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology, 4(1), 19–29. https://doi.org/10.1375/prp.4.1.19

Social determinants of health snapshot. (n.d.). Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/social-determinants-of-health

The UN Refugee Agency. (n.d.). Social inclusion of refugees. https://www.unhcr.org/sites/default/files/legacy-pdf/5fc126354.pdf

Common Health Issues in Sudanese Refugees

mikaylagm11 — 2024-08-28 05:04:18 UTC

Common health issues within Sudanese refugees in Australia include low immunity to diseases such as gastrointestinal infections, schistosomiasis and tuberculosis (Abbato, 2011). Gastrointestinal infections are the infection of the bowels and can be caused from drinking contaminated water or foods. This contamination comes from bacteria such as salmonella, viruses such as rotavirus and parasites like giardia (Bowel infections, 2023). Along with these health issues, a major health concern for Sudanese refugees are the mental health and mental health disorders. These mental health disorders can consist of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), depression and psychological stress (Milner & Khawaja, 2010). These health issues are very prevalent in developing countries with war, conflict and poverty resulting in severe mental health disorders.

Abbato, S. (2011). Community Profiles for Health Care Providers. Division of the Chief Health Officer, Queensland Health. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0033/158775/profiles-complete.pdf

Milner, K., & Khawaja, N. G. (2010). Sudanese Refugees in Australia: The Impact of Acculturation Stress. Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology, 4(1), 19–29. https://doi.org/10.1375/prp.4.1.19

Bowel infections. (2023, July 13). Trusted Health Advice | healthdirect. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/bowel-infections

Abur, W., & Mphande, C. (2020). Mental Health and Wellbeing of South Sudanese-Australians. Journal of Asian and African Studies, 55(3), 412-428. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021909619880294

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Sudanese Food

mikaylagm11 — 2024-08-28 11:37:41 UTC

This meal is considered to be the national dish for Sudan and South Sudan. This dish is a flavoursome vegetarian dish that consists of a lot of spices and aroma. It is mostly served alongside pita and can be a nourishing, filling meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Below are the ingredients used for ful medames.

2 cans of fava beans
¼ – ½ red onion diced
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon cilantro
1 tablespoon parsley
salt to taste
black pepper to taste
3 garlic cloves minced
1-2 cups of vegetable stock or water
juice for half a lemon Lemon
Pita to serve recipe below
3 boiled eggs
Olive oil
2 garlic cloves
3 tablespoon of chopped parsley and cilantro
1-2 tomatoes
Salt
2 hot chilli

Travelandmunchies. (2022, December 12). Simple and hearty sudanese ful Medames and homemade Pita. https://travelandmunchies.com/simple-and-hearty-sudanese-ful-medames-and-homemade-pita/

Traditional dance - Kudung

mikaylagm11 — 2024-08-28 12:04:44 UTC

Sudanese language

mikaylagm11 — 2024-08-28 12:26:40 UTC

The official language of Sudan is Arabic. Although similar to Arabic spoken in Egypt in the Middle East, there are different dialects of this language. Whilst this is the prominent language spoken in the country, There are multiple African languages and accents that are spoken throughout (Chepkemoi, 2017). A few African languages that are spoken in Sudan include, Beja, Hausa, Nilo-Saharan and Dinka. Whilst these are some of the most common, there are many dialects and accents throughout the country and different tribes.

Chepkemoi, J. (2017, July 26). What languages are spoken in Sudan? WorldAtlas. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-languages-are-spoken-in-sudan.html