Cultural Health Influences

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Cultural Health Influences

Caring for Chinese, Filipino, and Vietnamese Populations

Understanding cultural health and illness practices is critical for providing culturally competent care, particularly for managing chronic conditions like hypertension among diverse populations. This discussion examines health practices that may impact hypertension treatment in Chinese-American clients, the locus-of-control variable influencing Filipino-American health-seeking behavior, and the significance of folk medicine and healers for Vietnamese Americans.

Chinese-American Health and Illness Practices and Hypertension

Chinese-American clients often integrate traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practices, such as herbal remedies, acupuncture, and dietary therapies, into their health management, which can complicate hypertension treatment. For instance, some Chinese Americans may use ginseng or licorice-based remedies, believing they promote balance and vitality based on TCM principles of yin-yang harmony. However, these herbs can elevate blood pressure or interact with antihypertensive medications, such as diuretics or beta-blockers, reducing their efficacy (Li et al., 2021). Additionally, dietary practices, like high-sodium preserved foods (e.g., pickled vegetables or soy sauce-heavy dishes), are common in Chinese-American cuisine and may exacerbate hypertension if not moderated. Cultural beliefs that prioritize holistic remedies over Western pharmaceuticals can lead to non-adherence to prescribed treatments, as patients may perceive medications as disrupting bodily harmony. Nurses must educate Chinese-American clients about potential herb-drug interactions and encourage dietary modifications, such as reducing sodium intake, while respecting cultural preferences to enhance treatment adherence.

Filipino-American Locus of Control and Health-Seeking Behavior

Among some Filipino Americans, an external locus of control—where individuals believe health outcomes are influenced by fate, divine will, or external forces—can significantly affect health-seeking behavior. This belief, rooted in cultural and religious traditions, may lead some Filipino Americans to attribute hypertension to destiny or spiritual imbalance rather than physiological causes, potentially delaying medical intervention (Santos & Thompson, 2023). For example, a patient might prioritize prayer or family advice over seeking timely medical care, perceiving health as beyond personal control. This external locus can hinder proactive management of hypertension, such as adhering to medication regimens or lifestyle changes. Nurses can address this by fostering trust, providing culturally sensitive education about hypertension’s physiological basis, and integrating family or community support into care plans to align with collectivist values, thereby encouraging proactive health-seeking behaviors.

Importance of Folk Medicine and Folk Healers to Vietnamese Americans

Folk medicine and folk healers, known as thầy thuốc dân tộc, hold significant importance for Vietnamese Americans, particularly in managing chronic conditions like hypertension. Folk medicine includes practices like cạo gió (coin rubbing) or herbal concoctions believed to restore balance and expel “bad winds” causing illness. Folk healers, often respected community figures, provide spiritual and physical guidance, blending traditional remedies with cultural beliefs about health (Nguyen & Lee, 2022). For Vietnamese-American clients, these practices are often preferred due to distrust in Western medicine, language barriers, or historical reliance on traditional healing. While folk remedies may offer psychological comfort, they can delay evidence-based hypertension treatment or interact with medications. Nurses must acknowledge the cultural significance of these practices, collaborate with patients to integrate safe folk remedies, and educate about the importance of medical management to control hypertension effectively.

Conclusion

Culturally competent care for Chinese, Filipino, and Vietnamese Americans requires understanding their unique health practices and beliefs. By addressing TCM’s impact on hypertension treatment, navigating external locus-of-control beliefs, and respecting folk medicine traditions, nurses can improve health outcomes while fostering trust and adherence.

References

Li, X., Chen, H., & Wang, Z. (2021). Traditional Chinese medicine and hypertension: A review of potential interactions with Western medications. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 19(3), 234–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2021.01.005

Nguyen, T. H., & Lee, J. Y. (2022). Cultural influences on health care access among Vietnamese Americans: The role of folk medicine. Ethnicity & Disease, 32(4), 287–294. https://doi.org/10.18865/ed.32.4.287