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Health and culture

CULTURE AND hEALTH

RELATIONSHIP

     Relationship between culture and health is complex. Likely the relationship between a particular health concern and the culture that perpetuates the problem is not evaluated until the concern is seen by someone outside the culture. According to Skolnik (2016), the Ecological Perspective offers this perspective on the interwoven properties of health and culture: “Behavior both influences and is influenced by the social environments in which it occurs” (Skolnik, 2016, p. 151). In other words you cannot have the health behavior in isolation of the culture in which it originated. Additionally, to affect change on a detrimental health behavior, it is a most beneficial to address the cultural tie-in for sustainable change.

common cultural practices

  1. Whether this is considered a true “cultural practice” or not, Homosexuality is taboo and Haitians do not tolerate ambiguous gender identifications. This leads to isolation and lack of seeking medical treatment or testing related to fear of rejection and public humiliation (Hastings, date unknown).

  2. Mental health care access is limited. There is a high percentage of young adults suffering from PTSD and major depressive disorder who do not access any form of health care, even in the form of the folk healer (Eustache, et.al., 2017). Hastings believes this lack of seeking care is related to a cultural stigma against mental health disorders. Mental illness is also not spoken of, as it is thought to be caused by an evil spirit (Hastings, date unknown).

  3. It is a common cultural practice, especially in rural settings, to follow the guidance of the elder in regards to health care matters, likely in all matters. This can be a potential for good. If the elder can be convinced of positive health practices that will affect the health of the whole village, he will likely be a very strong influence of positive change (Adonis-Rizzo and Jett 2007).

GENDER NORMS

B. Hastings, a social worker with the US Public Health Service has traveled many times to Haiti for relieve work and works with Haitian Americans in her community. In attempts to help future relief workers and those working with Haitians and Haitian American, specifically health care workers, she has compiled a list of important culture and health information (date unknown). She does mention that gender roles are traditional: the man is the voice of decision (although the woman has much influence) and is responsible for providing for the family and disciplining the children. The women’s primary responsibility is to care for their children (Hastings, date unknown).

Important Travel Information/ Taboos:

According to Cultural Crossing Guide (2017) whistling and pointing are rude. Additionally, it is considered rude to not make direct eye contact when speaking with someone. Staring is common place.

 

Men are not to hug women. A polite handshake is appropriate (Hastings, date unknown).

 

Haitians have a relaxed view of time. Be prepared to wait, even if you have an appointment (Cultural Crossing Guide, 2017).

This video depicts the struggle of one man trying to regain mental stability after the 2010 earthquake with little access to mental health care and counseling.

​ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgBkzQcnYt0

References

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Adonis-Rizzo MT, & Jett KF. (2007). Health beliefs of Haitian elders related to influenza prevention. Public Health Nursing, 24(1), 18–25. Retrieved from http://proxy.lib.odu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rzh&AN=106112335&site=ehost-live&scope=site

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Culture Crossing Guide. (2017). Haiti. Last retrieved October 6, 2018 http://guide.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student.php?id=90

 

Eustache, E., Gerbasi, M. E., Smith Fawzi, M. C., Fils-Aimé, J. R., Severe, J., Raviola, G. J., … Becker, A. E. (2017). High burden of mental illness and low utilization of care among school-going youth in Central Haiti: A window into the youth mental health treatment gap in a low-income country. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 63(3), 261–274. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.odu.edu/10.1177/0020764017700174

 

Hastings, B. and Colin, J. M. (Date unknown). Cultural and clinical care for Haitians. LCDR US Public Health Service. Indian Health Services. Last retrieved at https://www.in.gov/isdh/files/Haiti_Cultural_and_Clinical_Care_Presentation_Read-Only.pdf

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Skolnik, R. (2016). Global Health 101 (3rd). Burlington, MA; Jones & Bartlett Learning.

 

Al Jazeera English (2010, January 30).YouTube. Haiti’s post traumatic mental recovery. YouTube. Last retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgBkzQcnYt0

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