This Cultural Profiles web-site was designed to be fully compliant with modern standards for web publication (as specified by the W3C). The pages will be accessible and readable on any display using any web browser, old or new.
Click for a map (PDF) © UNICEF www.unicef.org
This is an excellent Australian 2003 Government sponsored site that gives a cultural profile in a very concise and approachable way. It gives practical advice on how to approach patients who have settled in Australia. It also covers health seeking practices and traditional health beliefs. Recommended. ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞
This is a very approachable American site (2006) that gives cultural profiles on 12 different ethnic groups in relation to health. It also presents cultural barriers in seeking effective health care. There are also invaluable links from this site that are related to special interest topics such as cultural considerations for those dealing with death and dying. There are also excellent links for those developing cultural competency, and cultural competency training. This is an invaluable resource site for health care providers. ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞
This is a very good American site that describes traditional health seeking practices as well as giving useful facts (i.e. outlining prevalent diseases amongst the target community). It specifically looks at refugee populations and includes excellent links to other sections that give more detail on issues such as women and health, refugee experiences and health, infectious diseases etc. Recommended. ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞ ۞
This very readable Canadian site gives a short account of the county's geography, history, sports, arts, work, family and health. It is socially orientated rather than health focussed, as it is designed to initiate communication and integration between habitual Canadian residents and newly arrived immigrants. It will therefore not explain aspects of culture to a depth that some health care providers would need. However, it does offer avenues and ideas that could be used to open up a productive communication process between health care providers and clients that would lead to relevant information being exchanged. ۞ ۞ ۞
This reliable UNICEF site gives background information and health related statistics that could prove especially useful for health care providers who need to determine the health and social history of their clients. Some cultural information can also be deduced relatively easily from the statistical detail. There is an emphasis on children's and women's health due to UNICEF's focus on children. ۞ ۞
This BBC site will give you a brief overview of the current political situation in each country. This may help you to know what political situation your client may have left behind and what their relations are currently living with. It also gives a brief overview of statistics - population, religions, languages, life expectancy and exports. ۞
This site from the US Library of Congress presents an extensive volume on the country, but it is no longer up to date especially where statistical data is sought. However, it is easy to find sections on health and social topics which are very comprehensive. It gives the major diseases that affect the people and it outlines the classical medical services that are available. Although the volume is easy to navigate the writing is not very approachable. It is heavy on fact but gives no information on traditional medicine and cultural issues that could affect access to health. Use as a last resort and be aware that major changes will have taken place in the last two decades ۞
This site gives you basic facts and a map of each country. It gives basic demographic details that include religion, ethnicities, health risks, mortality rates etc. which may be useful, especially if comparative material is required. A short synopsis of the political situation in the country is included. ۞
SPIRASI does not necessarily agree with the facts and opinions presented in this guide or any linked websites.
This Cultural Profiles web-site was designed to be fully compliant with modern standards for web publication (as specified by the W3C). The pages will be accessible and readable on any display using any web browser, old or new.