My Big Fat Greek/Aussie Multicultural Blog by Themelina Patsalides https://padlet.com/Thomas_lol/zjz9jt7bkqgpldtm en-us 2023-10-07 22:29:32 UTC 2023-10-10 04:20:08 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-uploads.storage.googleapis.com/814738061/f07a0df9e082e05572fad0b909803340/Greek_Aussie_Flag.jpg What is Health to Me? Thomas_lol https://padlet.com/Thomas_lol/zjz9jt7bkqgpldtm/wish/2737455222 Hippocrates is quoted to have said, “The greatest medicine of all is teaching people how not to need it.” Prevention is better than cure. Health to me is leading a physically active and healthy lifestyle. It is ensuring I am a good role model for my children and greater family. Health encompasses physical, psychological, spiritual, and emotional domains. They are all interconnected and when one is failing, the other fail, too. Health is a constant state of flux whereby change is necessary with specific needs.

]]> 2023-10-09 01:39:36 UTC https://padlet.com/Thomas_lol/zjz9jt7bkqgpldtm/wish/2737455222 Being Culturally Competent And Responsive Thomas_lol https://padlet.com/Thomas_lol/zjz9jt7bkqgpldtm/wish/2737456252 Health is a dynamic mix between physical, emotional, psychological, and cultural needs. The interconnection of these components are integral the health outcomes of the individual. Collectively this is referred to as the biopsychosocial model of health (Biopsychosocial-Cultural
Model 2016).
Multiculturalism is an integral part of Australian society. I feel, as health professionals, it is incumbent upon us to be able to help all people from diverse cultures, religions, nationalities. I have developed my knowledge of how to provide care that is equitable and respectful which focuses on person-centred care. We as clinicians, need to be sensitive to the practices that are integral various definitions of health relative to one’s culture and beliefs. Applying continual reflection on one's own clinical practice/s is essential for optimal health care. My life experience and being from a migrant background, I feel I have basic qualities to be able to incorporate skills and requirements as outlined in Domain 7 of "Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds" (Working with people from migrant and refugee backgrounds 2019). 

This domain highlights the importance of professionalism in health practice and asserts the need to treat people with respect, equity, safety, dignity, and respect. Person-centred care and cultural safety are crucial to healing. The importance of the incorporation of family to one’s healing journey in various cultures cannot be understated. Being Australian Greek, I understand the importance of the incorporation of one’s traditions and culture to healing. This is an essential asset as a nurse practising in our wonderfully multicultural society. I believe there is so much to be learned from the diversity of people that we have living here in Australia.

Reference
Brice-Montas, J. M. (2016, March 20). Biopsychosocial-Cultural Model. bricefoundation. https://www.bricefoundation.org/single-post/2016/03/22/biopsychosocialcultural-model#:~:text=Social%20and%20cultural%20factors%20act,and%20extension%20of%20the%20problems.

Migrant & Refugee Women’s Health Partnership. (2019). Working with people from migrant and refugee backgrounds. Migrant & Refugee Health Partnership. https://culturaldiversityhealth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf
]]> 2023-10-09 01:41:05 UTC https://padlet.com/Thomas_lol/zjz9jt7bkqgpldtm/wish/2737456252 Outdoor run with The Huz Thomas_lol https://padlet.com/Thomas_lol/zjz9jt7bkqgpldtm/wish/2737457650 A mix of Aussie and Greek... I married an Australian sailor back in 1995. We are blend of Australian and Greek and we love being physically active - it is fundamental for our mental health regime! 

]]> 2023-10-09 01:43:20 UTC https://padlet.com/Thomas_lol/zjz9jt7bkqgpldtm/wish/2737457650 Traditional Greek Dancers Thomas_lol https://padlet.com/Thomas_lol/zjz9jt7bkqgpldtm/wish/2737458613 Dance inter-connects people and provides a social platform for the community to unite and be active Greek dancing is an important link to our culture and traditions and helps to maintain a holistic approach to health and well-being.

]]> 2023-10-09 01:44:47 UTC https://padlet.com/Thomas_lol/zjz9jt7bkqgpldtm/wish/2737458613 Koto Avgolemono Soupa Thomas_lol https://padlet.com/Thomas_lol/zjz9jt7bkqgpldtm/wish/2737458961 Whenever we were sick as kids, my Mum would us a big pot of Greek Chick soup. It's a hearty, wholesome, and soulful blend of softly boiled chicken with a creamy egg/lemon sauce – Soul Food! The house smells of fresh lemony citrus that just soothes your soul. It's Magic!!!! 

]]> 2023-10-09 01:45:11 UTC https://padlet.com/Thomas_lol/zjz9jt7bkqgpldtm/wish/2737458961 Social Determinants of Health for Migrants to Australia Thomas_lol https://padlet.com/Thomas_lol/zjz9jt7bkqgpldtm/wish/2737495298 The WHO describes social determinants of health as those that are non-medical in nature that affect the level of health one can achieve. This can include a mix of education, language, income, employment, housing, early childhood development, and access to health (World Health Organisation, 2023b). Refugees living in foreign countries experience a variety of inequities that can affect their health outcomes. This is often exacerbated by their struggles whilst living in their homelands (World Health Organisation, 2023a).
 
Access to healthcare for refugees is fraught with difficulties.  Many refugees do not speak English or at most have limited English. The inability to communicate to primary health services such as pharmacies and general practitioners creates a barrier to optimal health - insufficient medication adherence is but one offset of language barrier (Bellamy et al., 2015)
 
 Migrants face further displacement once resettled in Australia. Contemporarily, the Australian government has preferred to resettle migrants in rural areas due to perceived advantage for rural towns. Conceivably, migrants may be more driven to accept less desirable employment vocations in rural settings, however, the effects of social exclusion often experienced in remote areas is a barrier to health (Ziersch et al., 2020).
 
 Ziersch et al., (2020) further discuss the impact of appropriate housing for migrants. The authors report that some migrant families were placed in housing that was not big enough for their family. In addition, some migrants found they were discriminated against when trying to attain a rental property.


References
Bellamy, K., Ostini, R., Martini, N., & Kairuz, T. (2015). Access to medication and pharmacy services for resettled refugees: A systematic review. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 21(3), 273. https://doi.org/10.1071/py14121

World Health Organization. (2023). Social Determinants of Health. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1

Ziersch, A., Miller, E., Baak, M., & Mwanri, L. (2020). Integration and social determinants of health and wellbeing for people from refugee backgrounds resettled in a rural town in South Australia: A qualitative study. BMC Public Health, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09724-z ]]> 2023-10-09 02:40:53 UTC https://padlet.com/Thomas_lol/zjz9jt7bkqgpldtm/wish/2737495298 Afghanistan - Refugees Health Issues Thomas_lol https://padlet.com/Thomas_lol/zjz9jt7bkqgpldtm/wish/2737648153 Afghanistan has been the stage for economic upheaval due to continual Taliban interventions, causing widespread poverty, starvation, lack of employment, housing, and access to healthcare. As a result, many people of Afghanistan are fleeing to escape the persecution (Amnesty International, 2023). Common health problems of those arriving in Australia are Malaria, Helicobacter pylori and B12 deficiencies (Queensland Government Metro South Health, 2023).

B12 Deficiencies
Continual food scarcity in Afghanistan promotes risk to B12 deficiency. Recommendations for refugees from Afghanistan are to provide a full blood examination (FBE) to provide insight into anaemia and general vitamin and mineral deficiencies. If B12 is found to be deficient, supplementation via oral or intramuscular route is suggested (Chaves & Paxton, 2023).

Helicobacter Pylori

Approximately 72%-93% of migrants coming to Australia are infected with Helicobacter Pylori. It is suggested that those people come from areas of greater chance of being infected, are screened via the breath test or stool antigen mechanisms. Treatment with a 10 day triple therapy regime which may include PI/amoxicillin/ and levofloxacin or 7-14 days of PPI/bismuth/tetracycline/and metronidazole. Considerations need to be taken for women whom are pregnant (Schulz et al., 2023).

Malaria
All refugees from Afghanistan should be screened for Malaria. Refugees with severe falciparum malaria need to be admitted to hospital and treated with artemether/lumefantrine, antimalarials. Non- severe falciparum malaria may be treated as on an outpatient basis. Those people with vivax, malariae or ovale malaria should also be given the above medication. Only those with severe  non-falciparum malaria should receive hospital attention.  Follow-up testing should be conducted to ensure infection is cleared (Philips & Francis, 2023).

References

Chaves, N., & Paxton, G. (2023). Anaemia, iron deficiency, and other blood conditions. Anaemia, Iron Deficiency, and Other Blood Conditions " Australian Refugee Health. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/anaemia-iron-deficiency-and-other-blood-conditions/

Human rights in Afghanistan. Amnesty International. (2023). https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/asia-and-the-pacific/south-asia/afghanistan/report-afghanistan/

Philips, C., & Francis, J. (2023). Malaria. Malaria " Australian Refugee Health. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/malaria/

Queensland Government. (2023). Afghan food and Cultural    Profile: Community - Queensland health. Metro South Health. https://metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/content/community-profile-afghan.pdf

Schulz, T., Kay, M., & Cherian, S. (2023). Helicobacter pylori. Helicobacter Pylori " Australian Refugee Health. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/helicobacter-pylori/ ]]> 2023-10-09 06:26:19 UTC https://padlet.com/Thomas_lol/zjz9jt7bkqgpldtm/wish/2737648153 Food, glorious food!!!!!!! Thomas_lol https://padlet.com/Thomas_lol/zjz9jt7bkqgpldtm/wish/2737719814 Mediterranean diet is notable for its health benefits. Traditional Greek foods consist on legumes, fish, and fresh fruit and vegetables. Red meat is consumed rarely, as a little as a once a fortnight. We love our Olive Oil with a passion! 


Eat well, live well!

]]> 2023-10-09 07:32:26 UTC https://padlet.com/Thomas_lol/zjz9jt7bkqgpldtm/wish/2737719814 Ear ache and olive oil - fun fact! Thomas_lol https://padlet.com/Thomas_lol/zjz9jt7bkqgpldtm/wish/2737723884 Mum would heat some pure olive in a teaspoon until it is luke warm. She would pour it into our ears and place some cotton wool to cover. I'm not sure if it was mind over matter or just shear fluke, but it almost always fixed our ear aches!!!!


]]> 2023-10-09 07:36:09 UTC https://padlet.com/Thomas_lol/zjz9jt7bkqgpldtm/wish/2737723884 Religion - Greek Orthodox Thomas_lol https://padlet.com/Thomas_lol/zjz9jt7bkqgpldtm/wish/2737750555 Greek Orthodox religion is pivotal to ones health and well-being and there are many rites and rituals that they perform. One is the anointing of the sick with blessed olive oil and holy water. Spirituality is a pillar of faith and healing (Fouka et al., 2012).


Fouka, G., Plakas, S., Taket, A., Boudioni, M., & Dandoulakis, M. (2012). Health-related religious rituals of the Greek Orthodox Church: Their uptake and meanings. Journal of Nursing Management, 20(8), 1058–1068. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12024  
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