Introduction
Cultural awareness is among the pillars of quality treatment in healthcare. By considering each individual’s unique characteristics and background, it is possible to build trust between a healthcare professional and the patient. In my experience, I had an opportunity to interview J.C. J.S., who comes from Nigeria and has been residing in the United States for the past five years. By using a cultural assessment, medical professionals can treat J.S. with cultural sensitivity and respect for his values, beliefs, and preferences, eventually leading to improved health outcomes.
Overview/Heritage
At the start of the interview, J.C. introduced himself and said he was born and raised in Nigeria. The country’s topography has various landscapes, such as tropical rainforests, savannahs, and coastal regions (Falola, 2021). Here, political and economic situations are the driving factors of people emigrating (Falola, 2021). As mentioned by J.C., education is highly valued in the culture, along with occupation in healthcare that determines social status, which is why he decided to move to the U.S. Regarding implications for health practices, recognizing social and cultural background can help understand the health beliefs of the individuals.
Communication
J.C. then mentioned that he speaks English, Nigeria’s dominant official language. However, it is noteworthy that are 529 languages spoken in the country, meaning many dialects (Òjó, 2022). Additionally, the man emphasized that volume, tone, eye contact, and facial expressions are crucial in communication, with spatial distancing playing a minor role. Lastly, using names and greetings is essential in interactions with others. As a result, such details can help healthcare professionals understand the importance of non-verbal cues when talking to the patient.
Family
As for family, J.C. said that gender roles in Nigeria are clearly defined, with the head of the household holding the power and the aged family members being respected. Generally, family in Nigerian culture is crucial, and the connection between family members is strong, even with extended family members (Falola, 2021). Moreover, family values mainly influence childrearing practices, and single parenting or childless marriages are not accepted (Falola, 2021). Acknowledging the family dynamics is essential, especially when involving family members in decision-making and care.
Workforce
Another aspect that was discussed with J.C. was the workforce. According to the patient, autonomy, and gender roles are significant in such a case. At the same time, the level of acculturation and assimilation may vary, as may ethnic communication. Understanding the influence of various cultural factors on work-related behaviors facilitates effective collaboration and shared decision-making (Purnell, 2013). Therefore, healthcare practices will be influenced by J.S.’s perspectives on autonomy and healthcare utilization.
Biocultural Ecology
Furthermore, according to J.C., Nigeria is a nation with biological diversity. Skin color, disease prevalence, and drug metabolism may vary by region (Falola, 2021). Knowing how physical characteristics and disease prevalence are associated with the country of origin can help healthcare providers offer quality care (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2019). Additionally, such understanding can help in conducting practical risk assessments.
High-risk Behaviors
The next aspect that was discussed with J.C. was high-risk behaviors in Nigeria. The man believed that alcohol and drug abuse were not as prevalent in Nigeria as in other countries. The same was said about the use of tobacco, with the patient not smoking himself. At the same time, J.C. stressed that unsafe sex is common in the country, with many people being affected by STDs and STIs. Additionally, a lack of exercise, overeating, and using safety measures were believed to depend on a person and were not prevalent. In terms of implications, it can be possible to offer culturally sensitive health education and interventions by assessing J.C.’s risk behaviors.
Nutrition
Moving forward, nutrition plays a crucial role in the Nigerian population. As explained by J.C., food is promoted for health reasons, especially during illnesses. Meanwhile, enzyme deficiencies, such as lactase deficiency, are relatively common (Falola, 2021). As a result, J.C.’s food preferences and dietary restrictions can be used to create a specific nutrition plan for the patient, ensuring culturally sensitive dietary interventions.
Pregnancy
When it comes to pregnancy, J.C. emphasized that he does not possess much knowledge. The patient said that delivery and birthing processes mainly involve women, and men’s participation is relatively low. In this situation, by being aware of cultural perspectives on childbearing practices, a healthcare professional can support informed decision-making and offer education (Purnell, 2013). In the case of Nigerian culture, mainly women would be educated and supported.
Death
Another noteworthy matter to discuss is the perception of death. According to an interview with J.C., death is more of a spiritual matter in Nigeria, and the majority of people believe that their family members will reincarnate. It is strongly believed that life does not end after death. Consequently, by acknowledging such a perspective, a healthcare professional can offer quality end-of-life care and support grieving individuals.
Spirituality
Spirituality, along with religious practices, plays a crucial role in Nigeria. J.C. pointed out that Nigeria has many religions, from Islam and Christianity to African religions. The patient mentioned that he adheres to the Christian religion. Prayer helps him find solace and is a source of strength. In this case, involving religious practices and perspectives in treatment makes it possible to promote holistic well-being for J.C.
Healthcare Practices
The traditional healing methods, biological concepts, and acute or preventive care may all be integrated into Nigerian healthcare practices. J.C. said that while there are no strong beliefs on organ donation, there is minimal emphasis on mental and physical self-care. Moreover, J.C. highlighted barriers to accessing quality healthcare, and people would need financial resources for better treatment. As a result, incorporating traditional practices can be beneficial to foster trust and understanding between J.C. and healthcare professionals.
Healthcare Practitioners
Lastly, perceptions of healthcare practitioners are unique in Nigerian culture. As J.C. emphasizes, the gender of the healthcare practitioner directly affects the use of their services and their status. The patient mentioned that male healthcare practitioners are viewed as more competent than their female counterparts. Overall, it can be possible to establish a therapeutic alliance by considering J.C.’s perceptions and respecting his preferences.
Conclusion
In summary, medical personnel can treat J.S. with cultural awareness and respect for his values, beliefs, and preferences by performing a cultural assessment, ultimately resulting in better health results. J.C. introduced himself and mentioned that he was born and raised in Nigeria at the beginning of the interview. The patient also emphasized that he speaks English, Nigeria’s national language. The patient additionally discussed the importance of gender roles, which affect family dynamics, workforce, childbearing, and healthcare practitioner perceptions. Finally, other aspects, such as spirituality, death, and healthcare practices, are majorly influenced by traditions and culture.
References
Falola, T. (2021). Understanding modern Nigeria: Ethnicity, democracy, and development. Cambridge University Press.
Òjó, A. (2022). Language, society, and empowerment in Africa and its diaspora. Lexington Books.
Purnell, L. D. (2013). Transcultural health care: A culturally competent approach. F.A Davis.
Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2019). Public health nursing(10th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.