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Psychology Assignment Activity Unit 7

The report explores the impact of cultural diversity on health behaviors in Shashamene, Ethiopia, highlighting the influence of traditional beliefs, gender roles, and spirituality on healthcare practices. It proposes strategies for culturally competent care, including integrating traditional and biomedical practices, community-based health education, and gender-sensitive services. By respecting cultural beliefs while promoting evidence-based practices, healthcare providers can improve access and outcomes in this diverse community.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
9 views3 pages

Psychology Assignment Activity Unit 7

The report explores the impact of cultural diversity on health behaviors in Shashamene, Ethiopia, highlighting the influence of traditional beliefs, gender roles, and spirituality on healthcare practices. It proposes strategies for culturally competent care, including integrating traditional and biomedical practices, community-based health education, and gender-sensitive services. By respecting cultural beliefs while promoting evidence-based practices, healthcare providers can improve access and outcomes in this diverse community.

Uploaded by

Tokkumma Mussa
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Cultural Influences on Health in Shashamene,

Ethiopia: A Report on Culturally Competent Care


Strategies
Introduction
Shashamene, a town in southern Ethiopia, is a microcosm of cultural
diversity, home to Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, Muslims, Rastafarians, and
indigenous ethnic groups like the Oromo. This diversity profoundly shapes
health beliefs and practices. Understanding these cultural dynamics is critical
for delivering effective healthcare in this community. This report examines
how cultural beliefs influence health behaviors and proposes strategies for
culturally competent care.

The Role of Culture in Shaping Health Behaviors

Culture in Shashamene significantly impacts health-related decisions,


particularly through traditional beliefs and religious practices. Many
individuals attribute illnesses to supernatural causes, such as the “evil eye”
(*buda*) or divine punishment (Olatunde, 2023). For instance, Ethiopian
Orthodox Christians may prioritize holy water (*tsebel*) from churches over
antibiotics, delaying biomedical treatment (EuroMed Info, n.d.). Similarly,
mental health conditions are often stigmatized as spiritual afflictions, leading
families to consult traditional healers (*debtera*) rather than clinicians.

Gender roles further influence health-seeking behaviors. Women frequently


require male family members’ approval to access care, reflecting patriarchal
norms (Ogden, 2019). Maternal health practices, such as preferring home
births attended by elder women, persist due to cultural distrust of
institutional settings. Such practices can exacerbate risks like obstetric
fistula but are deeply rooted in traditions valuing familial privacy.

Key Cultural Health Beliefs in Shashamene

1. Spiritual and Supernatural Causation: Illnesses like epilepsy or chronic pain


are often linked to curses or spirit possession. This belief discourages
reliance on hospitals.

2.Herbal Remedies: Traditional medicine, including herbs (*tinjut*), is widely


used for ailments ranging from malaria to gastrointestinal issues.
3. Stigma Around Modern Diseases: HIV/AIDS and mental illness are
shrouded in shame, attributed to moral failings, leading to treatment
avoidance.

4. Religious Healing: Holy water and prayer sessions are primary


interventions for illnesses, particularly within the Orthodox community.

5. Gender-Based Decision-Making: Women’s health choices are often


mediated by male relatives, impacting timely access to prenatal or
emergency care.

Strategies for Culturally Competent Care

To address these cultural factors, healthcare providers in Shashamene should


adopt the following strategies:

1. Integrate Traditional and Biomedical Practices

Collaborate with *debteras* and religious leaders to encourage referrals to


clinics while respecting traditional practices. For example, combining holy
water rituals with antiretroviral therapy for HIV patients could reduce stigma
(CSUN Family Focus Resource Center, 2019).

2. Community-Based Health Education

Conduct workshops in local languages (Afan Oromo, Amharic) to dispel


myths about diseases. Use storytelling or role-playing to address
supernatural beliefs and highlight biomedical causes (Olatunde, 2023).
Involve respected community figures, such as priests or elders, to endorse
vaccination campaigns.

3. Gender-Sensitive Services

Train staff to engage male family members in discussions about women’s


health, ensuring cultural norms are respected while advocating for timely
care. Establish women-only clinics staffed by female providers to increase
comfort and accessibility (Ogden, 2019).

4. Reduce Stigma Through Advocacy

Partner with local NGOs to share survivor stories of HIV/AIDS and mental
health recovery, normalizing these conditions as treatable rather than
shameful.

5. Cultural Competency Training for Providers


Implement workshops for healthcare workers on Shashamene’s cultural
norms, including the symbolic significance of holy water and herbal
medicine. Emphasize non-judgmental communication to build trust (EuroMed
Info, n.d.).

Conclusion

Health in Shashamene cannot be disentangled from its cultural fabric, which


encompasses spirituality, tradition, and gender dynamics. By blending
respect for cultural beliefs with evidence-based practices, healthcare
providers can bridge gaps in care access and outcomes. Culturally
competent strategies must prioritize collaboration, education, and
adaptability to foster trust and improve health equity.

References

CSUN Family Focus Resource Center. (2019, January 24). *Part 3: Cultural
competence strategies* [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=5_su7i9T9_M

EuroMed Info. (n.d.). *How culture influences health beliefs*.


https://www.euromedinfo.eu/how-culture-influences-health-beliefs.html/

Ogden, J. (2019). *The psychology of health and illness: An open access


course*. McGraw Hill.

Olatunde, O. (2023, February). *How culture influences health*. Caring for


Kids New to Canada. https://kidsnewtocanada.ca/culture/How-Culture-
Influences-Health

The Irish Global Health Network. (2015, July 16). *(DE) Politicizing or
delineating health from gender, sexuality, society, and culture*.
https://globalhealth.ie/de-politicizing-or-delineating-health-from-gender-
sexuality-society-and-culture/

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