Culture defines the perception a person develops concerning a particular healthcare issue or program. Culture is the way of behaviors that is unique to a specific group of people in society. Culture has a massive impact on healthcare behaviors. In some communities, for instance, vaccination is understood differently from what it should be in healthcare. In such societies, therefore, it would be difficult for a healthcare provider to explain to the natives the benefits of the vaccination. Therefore, understanding culture is critical for healthcare workers since it defines the healthcare consumption gap or disparity. In some culturally sensitive areas, the community does not access better healthcare, and this makes them vulnerable and susceptible to preventable disease than in other areas where people are flexible despite their cultural background. Therefore, understanding the relationship between culture and health is the foundation of providing better health for the population.
Social Status Definition
I was born and raised in Kenya. In the United States, I came as an immigrant. Back in Kenyan, my ethnic group is among the 42 ethnic tribes that dominate the country. Christianity is the foundation of many people in Kenya, and since I was born and raised in a Christian family, I consider myself a Christian. Back in my native country Kenya, education is vital, and it is seen as the key to success. Therefore, I value education as much as my family and friend both in Kenyan and the United States. My occupation has its root foundation in healthcare as I look forwards to become a professional healthcare practitioner. I value gender and sex, but it is a decision that I leave in the hands of an individual to define their sexual status. In the United States, I consider myself among the minority groups because I have a different culture and race compared to natives. It means that I am susceptible to discrimination and stereotype from those who are not culturally sensitive. Back home, we value family, so I belong to an extended family of typical Africans. Despite my culture, the school environment introduced me to new people with different thoughts and norms. The persons at school are my subculture because my behaviuor while in the group differs from the Kenyan culture.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Personal Culture of Origin and health
One of the cultural habits that I believe can harm my health is eating habits. In my country, people like maize and Ugali (a type of maize flour porridge made in Africa). It is a type of food that I like the most. I understand that an inability to balance diet is a health risk, and this can hurt my health. So I try most of the time to adjust my diet, but I think sometimes I do not conform to what I believe is right regarding my diet. Socialization is another culture from my country that has affected me. Back in Kenyan, togetherness is a valued norm, and people must shake hands most of the time when they meet. In Kenya, people like sitting together, and finding time for each other, mostly young people. Therefore, this was a culture that I was used to backing home, and it has affected me even in the present age ( Anthonj, Giovannini & Kistemann, 2019). However, it can be dangerous sometimes to be friendly and ready to interact because it places a person in a vulnerable position to both negative and positive influences that can hurt health.
The Traditional Beliefs and Values That Are Not Beneficial
In Kenya, there are a lot of customs and norms that people follow, these cultures and models are inherited, and they affect generation from generations. It undoubtedly that such perceptions are currently suffering due to the impact of technology and civilization. However, these are practices that people still value in the country, and they define the perception of health care behaviors in the country.
In Kenya, a family is an important unite. Polygamy is a culture in the Kenyan families. Men with more than one wife build different hurts for them where they live with their children. The nuclear family is valued, and so is the extended families. The family structure gives more importance to men than women. Male children are tasked with responsibilities that link them to male roles in society. On the other side, female children spend more time with their mothers as they learn female characters in the community. Such kind of a family structure and beliefs bring togetherness but are also poisonous to health. For instance, young male children must be as brave as the norms dictate ( Kagwanja, Waithaka, Nzinga, Tsofa, Boga, Leli &Barasa, 2020). In some cases, they get injured and get involved in unhealthy behaviors because they think that they should be strong and courageous to be considered men. For females or young girls, sometimes they get fewer priorities when they have personal health issues. They are unable to talk to their fathers concerning their health status when the mother is not around because the culture limit such kind of interaction, and this harms their health ( Kagwanja et al., 2020). Sensitization and healthcare education is health care aspect that can be vital in this case. The government needs to have in place education and sensitization healthcare programs to ensure that these people understand equality among genders.
Most people in Kenyan society are Christians. Religion defines how some people think politically and health-wise. Issues such as witchcrafts are understood to have an impact on the manner of life, and they tend to intertwine with religion to define the perception concerning health. It is in Kenya where some people would instead resort to witchcraft than go to the hospital when they are sick. Further, it is Kenyan where some people would instead go to church and seek prayers when they are sick than seeking healthcare intervention. Therefore, religion affects how these people understand healthcare issues and how they behave upon getting sick. In this sense, religion could be factors that are affecting people's health negatively in the country.
Food culture is another practice that can induce health problems such as obesity and munitions among people in the country. Maize is a staple food in this country, but mostly in low-income families, people tend to eat more starch than other nutrients in the country. Meat is also critical food in the country, but in among Tribes such as Maasai, they do not treat such meat or ensure that they are healthy ( Kagwanja et al., 2020). Instead, they consume that, and this places their health status in jeopardy. What is lacking in the country is healthcare education and health sensitization among the community for them to understand the health impact of such unhealthy eating practices.
Health Care Disparities
Health disparity is the differences that occur in healthcare accessibility due to the economy, culture, and beliefs among people. In Kenya, most people live below the poverty line. Therefore, there is a high rate of differences in healthcare accessibility. Most people who live above the poverty line have a chance to access better health. However, poor people have limited access to health in Kenya. In Kenyan culture also, education is essential but not to other tribes in the country ( Matanda & Kabiru, 2019). Among some cultures, such as the Maasai, education is not critical, and this has an enormous impact on the way they access healthcare. Therefore, healthcare disparity affects the population in this country, and culture has a significant effect on how they understand healthcare and participate in the healthcare sector to advance their healthcare status.
References
Anthonj, C., Giovannini, P., & Kistemann, T. (2019). Coping with ill-health: health care facility, chemist, or medicinal plants? Health-seeking behavior in a Kenyan wetland. BMC international health and human rights , 19 (1), 18.
Kagwanja, N., Waithaka, D., Nzinga, J., Tsofa, B., Boga, M., Leli, H., ...&Barasa, E. (2020). Shocks, stress, and everyday health system resilience: experiences from the Kenyan coast. Health Policy and Planning .
Matanda, D., &Kabiru, C. W. (2019). Using Demographic and Health Surveys in the campaign to end FGM/C: A Kenyan example.
