Global interactions and exchanges has become common place in today’s world of technology and increased intercontinental travels. These have led to sharing of cultures, experiences as well as resources such as in healthcare. In an error where evidence-based medicine and holistic care are centerpiece of healthcare, there is a need to possess an understanding of different cultural, religious and spiritual backgrounds. America is made up of a heterogeneous population of individuals from different ethnic and racial origins including Hispanic, Arab, Caucasian and African-American. Knowledge of the basics of Arab culture would therefore equip a practice nurse with knowledge on the issues that one may need to consider when attending to patients of this origin.
Health Beliefs and Practices
Arab is a description of several ethnic and racial groups of individuals who majorly stem from the Middle East and the Northern part of continental Africa. This population shares vast cultural and religious similarities which relate to their day to day living and their health seeking behavior. There is a wide availability of the modern/cosmopolitan westernized healthcare in the Arab World, with the highest quality of healthcare being accessible in the urban centers ( Abraham & Abraham, 2013) . Health sector in majority of the countries is based on fee-for-service, with majority which still remains unaffordable to a large part of the population. The idea of preventive medicine is still practiced and a functional public health system exists in majority of the countries. Despite availability of the modern healthcare, traditional medicine is still practiced.
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Traditional medical services are available in majority of Arab cultural settings and this complements modern medicine. Although most of these remain unrecognized by the states, use of these services is common. Individuals who provide traditional medical services such as bone setting in orthopedics learn the skills as apprentices. Healers use special herbs to treat various diseases of the skin, bone and gastrointestinal symptoms. The basis of the Arab traditional medicine is on the belief that the body is made of several interacting humors that must stay balance for the body to function maximally (Galanti, 2014). This allows the healers to view the ailing body as a whole rather than attend to the symptomatic systems alone. In addition to traditional orthopedic interventions which are considered superior to western medicine in the Middle East, midwives are common. Their services of provision of obstetric care to mothers are still required in low resource areas. Arabs also belief in invisible force known as “jinn” or bad evil as a cause of diseases. Such may be understood in the context where individuals believe that their disease is an omen or has been caused by the evil eye of those who may with death upon another individual.
Nutritional and Lifestyle
Certain lifestyle patterns expose people of Arab origin to health risks. These include smoking, diet and exercise patterns. Smoking is considered a social act and an act of generosity while their diet contains majorly high fiber which is considered healthy. Meat is taken but not in large quantities. Religious beliefs forbid the consumption of pork and products made from pigs. Such also includes skepticism on the use of recombinant medical therapies such as insulin sourced from bovine. Arabs have a strict selectivity on the type of meat that one should consume. Meet products much be from an animal that was slaughtered alive rather than killed, and they consider that animals be humanely treated when slaughtering ( Abraham & Abraham, 2013) .
Spirituality, Religion, and Faith
Mostly Arabic spirituality is based on Islam. This religion considers belief and practice of the principles enshrined on the five pillars of Islam. Prayer, as one of the pillars is practiced five times each day. Each prayer event must be preceded by religious ablution, which involves physical cleansing of the body. During prayer, recitation of the Quranic verses occurs while one faces the East, Mecca. It is important to keep note of this practice as sick patients may request a lone time during the specific times of prayer. As a nurse, one should stay cognizant that during these times, the patient may require special mats or be allowed to move to a comfortable place for prayers (Galanti, 2014).
Very sick patients whose life is under threat are excluded from this religious commitment. One should also remain respectful, non-judgmental and assistive if patients request the nurse to stay aback. In addition to the prayer, Muslims also have a religious obligation to fast during the holy month of Ramadhan. The fasting entails refraining from eating, drinking or any form of sexual contact from early morning to evening. This time allows for meditation, prayer and spiritual rejuvenation. During the same time, Muslims also offer part of their resources to charity. Timing in the Muslim calendar is not fixed and thus the time of start and end of the fasting varies from year to year. Exempted from fasting are individuals who are ill, those on travel as well as the pregnant and post-partum mothers.
Family Patterns, Communication, Space and Time Orientation
Family is an important unit in the Arab culture and the father is the head of a nuclear cluster. The extended family offers great support to members during times of difficulty and ill-health. Arabic culture is largely patriarchal and wives must seek for approval of their husbands in undergoing certain medical procedures. It is therefore crucial to keep this in mind when patients express concerns in consenting for certain medical interventions (Galanti, 2014). A large successful family is considered prestigious and polygamy is not uncommon. Respect to the elders is highly valued, and so is loyalty, obligation and the need to preserve one’s family status. Decision-making is dependent on membership to the extended family, where one has to make considerations of the opinion of others within such family. Social approval is from the relationships that one establishes with their family. Close contact such as walking while holding hands is common even for friends. Socialization between men and women that are unrelated is uncommon and women are trained to maintain chastity. Communication usually occurs through low volume speech, shouting is abhorred and maintenance of eye contact during exchanges is an expected norm. According to Arabs, time is not linear and lateness is allowed.
Childbirth, Perinatal Care, Death and Dying
Pregnancy is approached with much care and attention, not only by the family but also other members of the community. Women who have undergone childbirth are considered mature and respected. Inability to conceive is taken as a source of shame rather than as a medical condition that may require medical interventions ( Abraham & Abraham, 2013) . Infertility can contribute to divorce due to the high value attached to children. After birth children take up the names of their father as their second names. Death of a family member brings the family together. It is viewed as the will of God and placement of the body in ‘geneza’ occurs during burial. Response to pain of loss of a loved one is met with moaning for both genders. Death is viewed as an expression of God’s will and minimal handling of the dead body occurs. The Arab culture does not recognize or support autopsies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Arab culture is rich is practices that a medical profession, in the provision of holistic care, must remain cognizant about. The culture is deeply rooted in the Muslim religion that values strict adherence to the five pillars of Islam. This affects their belief in etiology of disease, their dietary patterns and spiritual acts. Family social support is common during illnesses. Pregnancy and birth are approached with care and tenderness. Inability to conceive is taken as a source of shame rather than as a medical condition that may require medical interventions. Infertility can contribute to divorce due to the high value attached to children. Death is viewed as an expression of the will of God and respect to the dead is paramount.
References
Abraham, S.Y. & Abraham. N. (2013). Arabs in the New World: Studies on Arab-American Communities. Detroit: Wayne State University Center for Urban Studies
Galanti, G. A. (2014). Caring for patients from different cultures . University of Pennsylvania Press.
