1.5 Culture

Question 1

Arab American primary language and main religion?

Answer 1

Primary language is Arabic

Main religion is Islam

Question 2

Arab American health beliefs

Answer 2

Privacy, touch, diet, unacceptable practices

Minimal eye contact/physical contact with the provider of the opposite gender

Sacredness of life – No abortion (unless woman’s health is at risk) or assisted suicide

Male providers communicate through a male family member for women

Male beards –religiously symbolic- vary depending on beliefs

Circumcision- recommended but not obligatory

Blood transfusions / Organ donation is ok

Autopsy – only for legal or medical reasons

Question 3

Arab American healthcare

Answer 3

Folk Remedies

• Aloe, capers, dill, olive-oil, truffles, etc- most are safe but inquire about the use
• Cupping
• Honey

Hospital Provided Gown- women might still wear their coverings.

Left Hand- considered unclean. Eating food with right hand (no utensils) is common

Ramadan- Fasting during the month

Diet-

• Halal ok- honey, milk, fish, vegetables, fresh or dried fruit
• Haraam not ok- pork, gelatin, intoxicants, birds of prey, and land animals without ears

Hospice Care/Death- death is a part of life. Ok with assistance with caring during end of life. Family may want to participate in cleansing of the body

Question 4

Arab American common illnesses

Answer 4

Type 2 diabetes, approximately 24% of the population

Exhibit hyperglycemic symptoms due to the 10 times higher sugar in the blood

Obesity

Cardiovascular disease

Respiratory problems often due to smoking

Asthma

Approximately 80% of the indigenous population of Saudi Arabia has markings for Hep B

Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease carried by sand flies

Gastrointestinal diseases and tuberculosis are major causes of morbidity

Congenital anomalies and disease occur from the practice of consanguineous marriages (marriage between cousins)

Question 5

Arab American sick practices

Answer 5

Family members often answer health questions for the patient and make health care decisions

Grave prognosis is not reported to the patient, shatters hope and causes mistrust

May not give health history until they know the health professional well

Family members accompany to keep watch over the sick family member

Same gender provider, especially for women

Question 6

Arab American communication patterns

Answer 6

Occurs with few words, family members and others are expected to understand implied communication via nonverbal gestures

Eye contact between the same gender is accepted and discouraged with those of different gender

Touch between men and women is forbidden except for family members

Touch between person of the same gender is common

Affection and touch is given to children from all family members

Personal space is small

Verbal expression is loud and often impassioned

Small talk and rituals prior to discussing the “main business” are important

Sharing cup of tea can be helpful to promote positive relationships. Often provider will receive more information about the patient during these pleasantries

Verbal agreements are common and more binding than written

Concept of time is very relaxed except for business and specific social engagements

Question 7

Arab American family

Answer 7

Family is more important than the individual and maintenance of family honor is very important

Oldest male makes all of the major decisions (patriarchal)

Sons sometimes consult with mother related to health decisions

Young defer to the old when decisions are made.

Women primarily confined to home to run household (recent years that has changed)

Children, especially sons are held responsible for caring for elderly parents

Children are raised by their mother until age 10, then raised by father

Kinsmen are given special favors

Fathers and brothers provide for unmarried sisters

Question 8

Arab American birth rites

Answer 8

Women who are infertile is pitied

Husbands can divorce their wives if they do not bear a son

Overwhelming preference is for sons, especially the first born

Question 9

Arab American pregnancy

Answer 9

Pregnant woman is indulged and her cravings satisfied.

Belief that the child will have birthmark resembling the food if this is not done

Pregnant women can experience stress related to the gender of the child as there is inherent status with bearing a son

Question 10

Arab American labor and delivery

Answer 10

Birth is considered “women’s business”

Hospital deliveries are common with female obstetricians preferred

Very verbal and expressive as they go through labor

Wrapping of the newborn soon after birth to prevent cold and wind from entering the newborn’s body

Breastfeeding at birth is believed to cause colic pain and is not done

Question 11

Arab American postpartum

Answer 11

Woman are considered unclean after birth and are sequestered in their mother’s home for up to 40 days.

Mothers are reluctant to bathe during postpartum because of the folk belief that cleaning the breasts thins the milk and that washing allows wind to get into the women causing illness

Special food such as lentil soup and tea are eaten to help with milk production and cleanse the body

Question 12

Arab American infants

Answer 12

Circumcision is common for Muslim newborns and a religious requirement

Call to prayer is recited in the newborn’s ear

Breastfeeding is delayed for the first 2-3 days because the mother requires rest

Breastfeeding is encouraged but partial breastfeeding is common

Question 13

Arab American contraception

Answer 13

Varies among Arab Americans

Infertility is unwanted, many may avoid contraception

Reversible forms of birth control can be used

Irreversible forms such as vasectomy and tubal ligations are considered forbidden by most Muslims

Abortion is only used if woman’s health is in danger

Contraceptive pill is most common form among Arab American women in Michigan

Question 14

Arab American death rites

Answer 14

Death is discussed only with male members of the family

After death, the body must be ceremonially washed, preferably by a family member of same gender. After that, non-Muslims are not allowed to touch the body

Autopsies are rare because the body must be buried intact

Islam does allow forensic autopsy or autopsy for medical research and instructions

Body must be buried in the ground within 24 hours of death with the grave facing towards Mecca

Coffins and cremation are not used

Female members are very vocal about grieving

Male members are expected to repress emotion