Cultural awareness

COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS
As immigrants and refugees enter the United States, health care providers need to be
more aware of health problems that they may encounter. Providers must also be aware of
the impact that different backgrounds, environments, and experiences may have on the
occurrence of specific health problems or on the progress of a disease.
The following is the susceptibility to health problems among Sub-Saharan Africans3:
• Sickle cell anemia occurs in populations originating from Africa, India, Saudi
Arabia, and Sicily. In the US, 0.3% of African Americans are homozygotes
and 8-13% are heterozygotes. Sickle cell anemia has been shown to provide
some protection against malaria.
• Lactose intolerance is common among Africans.
• Frequent relapse of P. Vivax malaria is common. Relapse of P. Ovale is less
common, but can occur, even several years after the initial infection.
• Recent immigrants may be suffering from dental caries as a result of poor
dental care in their home country or increased consumption of processed foods
since their arrival in the United States.
• Parasites, such as hookworm, schistosomiasis, strongyloides, or giardia may be
present and affecting overall health.
• Female Genital Mutilation (FMG) is regularly practiced in 28 African
countries. Estimated rates of FGM range from 5% of women in Uganda to
80% of women in Egypt and 98% of women in Djibouti and Somalia. There
are many severe health complications associated with this practice.
RI Department of Health Family Planning Guidelines
4
• Post-traumatic stress disorder may be present.
B. HISPANICS/LATINOS
This region covers an area of more than 40 countries. Spanish is the major language of
all countries in Latin America except for Brazil (Portuguese) and some countries in the
Caribbean, where French, English Patois, and Dutch are spoken. Roman Catholicism is
the major religion in the region and has an important influence on social life and
traditions.
Some commonalities may be found among people from Latin America and the
Caribbean3:
• Maintaining eye contact is valued.
• Friendly physical contact, such as touching the shoulder or upper arm, is
common.
• Friendliness and treating other with respect is highly valued.
• Education, degrees, and titles are esteemed.
• Socializing and spending time with family and friends is a vital part of life.
• Cakes and sweets may be a regular part of the diet.
• Workers in the U.S. may send money back home to support family members.
• Children are highly valued and loved, and parental discipline may be light
while they are young.