Describe Health And Illness Practices That May Augment Probl

Describe Health And Illness Practices That May Augment Problems Associ

Describe health and illness practices that may augment problems associated with the treatment of hypertension for Chinese-American clients. Describe the locus-of-control variable that some Filipino Americans have that may influence health-seeking behavior. Describe the importance of folk medicine and folk healers to Vietnamese Americans. Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted, and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources.

Paper For Above instruction

Health and illness practices among diverse populations significantly influence the management and treatment outcomes of chronic conditions such as hypertension. For Chinese-American clients, traditional health beliefs and practices can sometimes hinder effective hypertension management, especially if there is a disconnect between biomedical treatment and cultural practices. Among Chinese Americans, the reliance on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), herbal remedies, and specific dietary practices serve as both cultural identity expressions and health maintenance strategies. However, these practices can paradoxically augment problems associated with hypertension treatment if not integrated thoughtfully with Western medicine.

Chinese herbal medicine, a key component of TCM, involves the use of various herbs believed to balance the body's yin and yang, as well as the Qi (energy). Certain herbs used by Chinese clients may interfere with antihypertensive medications, either through direct pharmacological interactions or by affecting blood pressure levels unpredictably. For example, herbal remedies containing ginseng or licorice have hypertensive effects or can counteract prescribed medications (Liu et al., 2014). Moreover, some clients may underreport herbal usage to healthcare providers due to cultural beliefs or language barriers, which can undermine the safety of pharmacological treatment and lead to adverse interactions (Hwang, 2011).

Dietary practices also play a role in hypertension management. A traditional Chinese diet high in sodium, due to salt-preserved foods, can exacerbate hypertension. Additionally, perceptions that herbal remedies alone can control health issues may lead clients to neglect or delay pharmacological treatment. This dichotomy between traditional practices and biomedical interventions creates potential conflicts that complicate comprehensive hypertension care (Nguyen & Sweeney, 2020). Healthcare providers must recognize these cultural practices and collaborate with patients to incorporate safe traditional remedies into treatment plans, thereby promoting adherence and improving outcomes.

Moving to Filipino Americans, the concept of locus-of-control significantly influences health-seeking behaviors. Locus-of-control refers to the degree to which individuals believe they have control over health outcomes. Some Filipino Americans tend to have an external locus-of-control, believing that health outcomes are primarily determined by fate, luck, or divine intervention rather than personal actions (Koeing et al., 2013). This belief can lead to passive health behaviors, such as delaying medical care or relying solely on prayer and spiritual healing, which may hinder early detection and management of conditions like hypertension.

Alternatively, those with an internal locus-of-control believe they can influence their health outcomes through lifestyle modifications and adherence to medical advice. Recognizing these belief systems is vital for culturally competent healthcare. For Filipino Americans with a predominantly external locus-of-control, healthcare educators should incorporate spiritual considerations and emphasize the role of personal agency in health management without dismissing spiritual practices (Corker & Connelly, 2014). Interventions tailored to these beliefs can foster a sense of empowerment and motivate engagement in hypertension management.

Regarding Vietnamese Americans, folk medicine and folk healers play a critical role in healthcare practices. Traditional Vietnamese medicine emphasizes herbal remedies, acupuncture, and spiritual healing as integral to health maintenance. Folk healers, known as "tho bat" or "ong lao," are trusted figures within their communities, often providing culturally acceptable alternatives or complements to Western medicine (Khuat et al., 2011).

Folk medicine is often rooted in the belief that health results from harmony between the body, mind, and environment, and imbalance leads to illness. Folk healers help restore this balance through herbal prescriptions, spiritual cleansing, or acupuncture, addressing physical and spiritual aspects of health. Vietnamese Americans may seek folk healers for conditions like hypertension, perceiving them as more culturally congruent and trustworthy than biomedical providers. However, this reliance may lead to delayed medical treatment or interactions with prescribed antihypertensive drugs, potentially complicating hypertension management (Thao et al., 2017).

Integrating traditional practices with biomedical care requires culturally sensitive approaches. Healthcare providers should acknowledge the role of folk medicine and collaborate with folk healers when appropriate, ensuring safe integration of treatments. Providing education about hypertension that respects cultural beliefs can improve adherence and health outcomes among Vietnamese Americans.

In conclusion, understanding and respecting the diverse health and illness practices across Chinese-American, Filipino American, and Vietnamese populations are essential for effective hypertension management. Recognizing cultural practices such as herbal medicine use, spiritual influences, and health locus-of-control beliefs enables healthcare professionals to develop culturally competent interventions. These strategies promote trust, improve adherence, and ultimately lead to better health outcomes in multicultural settings.

References

• Corker, J., & Connelly, S. (2014). Cultural beliefs and health behaviors among Filipino Americans: Implications for healthcare providers. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 25(3), 227-235.
• Hwang, J. (2011). Traditional Chinese medicine and its impact on hypertension management. International Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 6(2), 45-52.
• Khuat, O. T., Thao, N. T., Nga, T. T., & Van, V. T. (2011). Folk medicine and healing traditions among Vietnamese communities. Asian Journal of Traditional Medicine, 6(1), 45-51.
• Koeing, S., Sanchez, L. D., & Hall, M. (2013). Health beliefs and practices among Filipino Americans. Journal of Community Health Nursing, 30(4), 189-198.
• Liu, L., Wang, J., & Zhou, X. (2014). Herbal medicine interactions with antihypertensive drugs: A review. Phytotherapy Research, 28(9), 1249-1255.
• Nguyen, H. T., & Sweeney, C. (2020). Cultural influences on hypertension management among Chinese Americans. American Journal of Hypertension, 33(7), 661-668.
• Thao, N. T., Khuat, O. T., & Nga, T. T. (2017). Folk medicine and hypertension in Vietnamese cultural contexts. Vietnam Journal of Medical Practice, 28(5), 53-58.