Caring For Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese Populations
Caring For Chinese Filipino Vietnamese Populationsa Describe Heal
Caring for Chinese, Filipino, and Vietnamese populations involves understanding their unique cultural health practices, beliefs, and behaviors that influence health-seeking behaviors and treatment adherence. This understanding is essential for providing culturally competent care, especially in managing chronic conditions such as hypertension. The following discussion explores health and illness practices among these groups that may impact hypertension treatment, examines the locus-of-control variable among Filipino Americans affecting health behaviors, and emphasizes the significance of folk medicine and healers to Vietnamese Americans.
Health and Illness Practices Among Chinese-American Clients
Chinese-Americans harbor distinct health beliefs and practices that can influence their response to hypertension management. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) emphasizes a holistic balance within the body, primarily focusing on the principles of Yin and Yang, Qi (vital energy), and traditional herbal remedies. For many Chinese-American individuals, health is viewed as a harmonious balance between internal and external environments, and illness is perceived as a disturbance of this balance (Wong & Wong, 2018). When managing hypertension, Chinese clients might prefer integrating herbal medicine, acupuncture, or dietary modifications rooted in TCM rather than solely relying on pharmacotherapy prescribed by Western medicine.
However, these practices can sometimes augment problems associated with hypertension treatment, especially if herbal remedies interact adversely with antihypertensive medications or if patients delay initiating or adhering to prescribed treatments due to cultural beliefs. For example, certain herbs like ginseng or gao lei can elevate blood pressure or interact negatively with medications, leading to ineffective control (Zhou et al., 2019). Additionally, a strong reliance on folk remedies and traditional healing practices may lead to under-utilization of biomedical treatments, affecting blood pressure control and increasing the risk of complications.
Language barriers and a lack of culturally sensitive health education can further impede understanding and adherence, as Chinese Americans may not fully grasp the importance of medication adherence or lifestyle modifications. Incorporating culturally tailored education that recognizes traditional beliefs while emphasizing the importance of evidence-based treatment is vital in enhancing hypertension management (Jung et al., 2020).
Filipino Americans and Locus-of-Control Variables Impacting Health-Seeking Behavior
The concept of locus-of-control refers to an individual’s belief about the extent to which they have control over their health outcomes. Among Filipino Americans, a significant cultural variation exists whereby many hold an external locus-of-control perspective, believing that health is determined by external factors such as divine intervention, fate, or the will of ancestors (Huang et al., 2021). This belief can influence health-seeking behaviors, leading some individuals to rely more on prayers, spiritual healers, or divine forces to manage illness rather than engaging proactively with healthcare providers.
Such beliefs may result in delayed seeking of medical attention, poor adherence to medications, or reluctance to modify lifestyle behaviors critical in hypertension management. Furthermore, the perceived lack of personal control over health outcomes may diminish motivation to engage in health-promoting behaviors like diet, exercise, or medication compliance. Healthcare providers should recognize this cultural tendency and incorporate spiritual support, prayer, or faith-based interventions as complementary strategies to encourage greater engagement and ownership of health (Ayanian et al., 2017).
Building trust and incorporating culturally sensitive communication that aligns with Filipino beliefs about health can empower patients to feel more control over their health. Emphasizing the integration of faith and medicine, promoting shared decision-making, and respecting spiritual practices can improve health-seeking behaviors within this cultural group (Javier et al., 2020).
The Importance of Folk Medicine and Folk Healers to Vietnamese Americans
Folk medicine plays a central role in the health practices of Vietnamese Americans, with folk healers known as "ying" or traditional practitioners providing culturally acceptable and accessible health care options. Vietnamese culture traditionally emphasizes the balance of yin and yang, the importance of herbal remedies, acupuncture, and spiritual healing in maintaining health (Nguyen et al., 2017). Folk healers are viewed as trusted authorities who not only provide remedies but also offer spiritual guidance, cultural continuity, and social support.
These healers often address a broad range of health issues, including chronic illnesses, spiritual disturbances, and emotional problems. Their treatments are rooted in centuries-old customs and practices and are highly accessible, especially in immigrant communities, where language barriers and distrust of Western medicine may hinder engagement with formal healthcare systems (Le et al., 2018).
For Vietnamese Americans, understanding and respecting the role of folk medicine can facilitate more comprehensive and culturally congruent healthcare delivery. Incorporating discussions about herbal remedies and traditional practices during clinical encounters allows providers to identify potential herb-drug interactions or contraindications. Additionally, collaborating with folk healers when appropriate can improve trust, adherence, and health outcomes (Pham et al., 2021).
In conclusion, recognizing and integrating the health beliefs and practices of Chinese, Filipino, and Vietnamese populations into mainstream healthcare is essential for improving health outcomes, especially for chronic conditions like hypertension. Culturally tailored approaches that respect traditional practices and beliefs can foster greater engagement and adherence to treatment regimens, ultimately reducing health disparities and promoting culturally competent care.
References
Ayanian, J. Z., et al. (2017). Cultural Factors Influencing Healthcare Decisions among Filipino Americans. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 19(2), 385-392.
Jung, M., et al. (2020). Culturally Sensitive Interventions for Asian-American Populations with Hypertension. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 58(2), 233-240.
Huang, H., et al. (2021). Locus-of-Control and Health Behaviors among Filipino Americans. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 28(4), 488-496.
Javier, J., et al. (2020). Integrating Spirituality into Healthcare for Filipino Patients. Journal of Religion and Health, 59(5), 2310-2322.
Le, T. T., et al. (2018). Folk Therapy Practices among Vietnamese Americans. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 9(2), 124-132.
Nguyen, T., et al. (2017). Traditional Medicine and Its Role in Healthcare among Vietnamese Immigrants. Complementary Medicine Research, 24(3), 173-180.
Pham, D., et al. (2021). Collaborating with Folk Healers to Improve Vietnamese Patient Outcomes. Health Policy and Planning, 36(7), 1058-1065.
Wong, S., & Wong, P. (2018). Cultural Beliefs and Health Practices of Chinese Americans. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 49(3), 448-464.
Zhou, Q., et al. (2019). Herb-Drug Interactions in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Phytotherapy Research, 33(10), 2593-2604.