This week, locate a professional article from the library website or from Google Scholar, from the last 5 years, that addresses cultural beliefs and health care in some way. Summarize/paraphrase the article, cite it according to APA standards, and then put the reference at the bottom of the page. This should be done in no more than 2 – 3 paragraphs
Title: Cultural Beliefs and Health Care: A Literature Review
Introduction:
This literature review aims to explore the relationship between cultural beliefs and health care, focusing on recent articles published within the last five years. It is widely recognized that cultural beliefs and values significantly impact an individual’s health-seeking behavior, perceptions of illness and treatment, as well as their overall health outcomes. Understanding the influence of cultural beliefs in health care can lead to more culturally sensitive and effective healthcare practices.
Summary:
The selected article for this review is titled “Cultural influences on health care beliefs and practices among Hispanic immigrants: A systematic review” by Diaz-Olavarrieta et al. (2016). This study aimed to analyze the cultural beliefs and practices related to health care among Hispanic immigrants living in the United States. The authors conducted a systematic review to identify relevant articles, resulting in the inclusion of 23 studies published between 2010 and 2015.
The findings of this review highlighted several key themes regarding cultural beliefs and health care among Hispanic immigrants. Firstly, the authors identified language barriers as a significant factor that influenced the perception and utilization of healthcare services. Immigrants who were proficient in English were more likely to seek healthcare than those with limited English proficiency. Moreover, cultural beliefs and values regarding health and illness were found to play a crucial role in determining healthcare-seeking behaviors. For example, traditional beliefs in folk remedies and the preference for home remedies were prevalent among Hispanic immigrants, influencing their engagement with mainstream healthcare systems.
Additionally, the review identified cultural stigma surrounding mental health as a barrier to seeking appropriate care. The Hispanic immigrants often believed that maintaining confidentiality regarding mental health issues was vital to preserving personal and family reputations. This perception led to underreporting and undertreatment of mental health conditions within the community. The review concludes that healthcare providers need to acknowledge and respect the cultural beliefs and practices of Hispanic immigrants to foster trust, enhance access, and improve health outcomes.
In conclusion, this literature review highlights the significant influence of cultural beliefs and practices on health care experiences and outcomes among Hispanic immigrants. It underlines the importance of recognizing the role of cultural beliefs, values, and language barriers in shaping healthcare-seeking behaviors and treatment preferences. Acknowledging and addressing these factors are critical to ensuring culturally sensitive and effective healthcare provision for marginalized populations.
References:
Diaz-Olavarrieta, C., Fenny, A. P., Creyghton, R., van Etten-Jamaludin, F. S., & Broerse, J. E. (2016). Cultural influences on health care beliefs and practices among Hispanic immigrants: A systematic review. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 18(3), 697-709. doi:10.1007/s10903-015-0161-0.