Children's Health
The following information was taken from the Queensland Health site that was developed to promote culturally sensitive healthcare for foreign patients in Australia. Health providers need to be aware of the cultural context and norms of specific groups to assess problems, interventions and preventive strategies in child health.
Families may delay seeking healthcare for their sick child, due to lack of knowledge of the medical system and fear of authority. Home remedies are often used before they resort to the formal medical system. In this case the healthcare provider needs to explore the beliefs surrounding the child's illness before advising on treatment.
The recent young immigrants have many pressures that may adversely influence their health, especially their mental health. Adjusting to a new language and culture can be traumatic.
Separation from extended family and friends, and loss of security and homes, may well have occurred.
Some may have experienced trauma in their country of origin. This may include struggling for personal survival, the loss of family members in war or persecution.
Please visit the (Queensland Health) page for a complete guide on children's health. The Queensland Health site was designed to address some of the issues the hospital staff encountered when working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, including indigenous Australians.
Cultural Diversity
