Describe Health And Illness Practices That May Augmen 498153

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. Submission Instructions: 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

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a significant health concern that affects diverse populations, including Asian-American communities. Understanding culturally specific health and illness practices is crucial for healthcare providers to effectively manage hypertension and improve health outcomes. For Chinese-American clients, various traditional health beliefs and practices may inadvertently augment problems associated with hypertension treatment, especially if these practices are uninformed by biomedical protocols or lead to non-adherence. Similarly, cultural beliefs about health-seeking behaviors, such as locus-of-control perceptions among Filipino Americans, can impact engagement with health services. Additionally, folk medicine and healers play an influential role in the health practices of Vietnamese Americans, shaping their approach to illness management and treatment.

Health and Illness Practices That May Affect Hypertension Management in Chinese-American Clients

Chinese-American individuals often rely on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which encompasses practices such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, dietary modifications, and perceptions of balance between yin and yang. While these practices promote holistic health, they may pose challenges in hypertension management. For example, some Chinese herbal remedies contain substances like licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), which can cause sodium and water retention, leading to increased blood pressure (Liu et al., 2014). Patients may prioritize herbal treatments over antihypertensive medications, resulting in non-adherence and uncontrolled hypertension.

Furthermore, Chinese cultural beliefs emphasize the importance of maintaining harmony and balance within the body, sometimes leading to the underreporting of symptoms or reluctance to initiate medications perceived as invasive or disruptive. Dietary practices also play a pivotal role; high salt intake, common in some traditional Chinese diets, can exacerbate hypertension (Chen et al., 2015). Healthcare providers should consider these cultural aspects and promote culturally sensitive education that respects traditional practices while emphasizing the importance of biomedical treatment.

Locus of Control and Its Influence on Health-Seeking Behavior Among Filipino Americans

The locus-of-control concept refers to the degree to which individuals believe they have control over their health outcomes. Among Filipino Americans, there exists a cultural tendency toward an external locus of control, where health is viewed as influenced by external forces such as fate, divine intervention, or community elders (Polloway & Halili, 2014). This perspective can lead to a passive approach to health management, with some Filipino Americans relying less on proactive health-seeking behaviors and more on prayer or spiritual intervention during illness episodes.

Studies suggest that this external locus of control may hinder timely engagement with health services, delay diagnosis, and limit adherence to prescribed treatments. Healthcare professionals should recognize these beliefs and incorporate spiritual or community-based approaches into health education and interventions, fostering trust and encouraging proactive health behaviors.

The Role of Folk Medicine and Healers in Vietnamese American Health Practices

Folk medicine remains integral to Vietnamese Americans, with traditional healers—such as herbalists, acupuncturists, and spiritual practitioners—serving as primary sources of care for many individuals (Nguyen et al., 2016). These healers utilize herbal medicines, cupping, and spiritual practices to treat ailments, including hypertension and other chronic conditions.

The respect and trust accorded to folk healers influence health-seeking behaviors, often leading individuals to seek traditional remedies before or alongside biomedical treatments. While this integrative approach can offer psychological comfort and cultural congruence, it may also delay biomedical interventions or lead to interactions between herbal medicines and prescribed drugs. Recognizing and respecting the significance of folk healing practices enhances culturally competent care, encouraging partnerships between traditional healers and medical providers to optimize health outcomes.

Conclusion

Culturally rooted health and illness beliefs significantly influence the management of hypertension and general health-seeking behaviors among Chinese-American, Filipino American, and Vietnamese populations. For Chinese-Americans, herbal remedies and dietary customs may impede biomedical treatment adherence. Filipino Americans' external locus of control can result in delays in seeking care, while Vietnamese Americans' reliance on folk medicine and healers underscores the importance of integrating traditional practices within the broader healthcare framework. Healthcare professionals must develop culturally sensitive strategies that acknowledge these practices and beliefs to foster trust, improve communication, and enhance health outcomes.

References

Chen, J., Zhang, B., & Wang, Q. (2015). Dietary patterns and hypertension risk among Chinese adults: A systematic review. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 24(4), 566-576. https://doi.org/10.6133/apjcn.2015.24.4.07

Liu, X., Wang, L., & Lu, L. (2014). Herbal medicines and their influence on hypertension: A review of safety and efficacy. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 154(3), 563-573. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.05.045

Nguyen, H., Lee, S., & Nguyen, T. (2016). Traditional healing practices among Vietnamese Americans: Implications for health promotion. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 27(2), 177-185. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043659615613779

Polloway, E. & Halili, M. (2014). Cultural influences on health beliefs among Filipino Americans: Impacts on health behavior. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 45(3), 398-413. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022113516073