Global, Environmental, And Cultural Aspects Of Health ✓ Solved
GLOBAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND CULTURAL ASPECTS OF HEALTH
Read at least two of the following articles to learn more about the PEN-3 model as a framework for planning programs that consider cultural and environmental influences on health behaviors.
For the assignment, you will explore concepts of Global, Environmental, and Cultural Aspects of Health as they relate to an outbreak among your specific target immigrant population.
Construct a table in which you use the PEN-3 Model as your framework to identify cultural influences on health that you must consider in addressing prevention and management of the outbreak among your chosen population.
Include cultural factors that increase the occurrences of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks among your population as well as cultural factors that influence vaccination adherence. In the left column of your table, add what the P, E, and N represent within each domain. Clearly address each one.
PEN-3 Domains:
- Positive
- Negative
- Existential
- Cultural Identity
- Relationships
- Cultural Empowerment
Length: 3 pages, excluding title page and references. You can single-space the table.
Paper For Above Instructions
Global health initiatives emphasize the importance of understanding cultural and environmental factors that influence health behaviors, especially in the context of disease outbreaks. This paper utilizes the PEN-3 model, a culturally-based framework for public health planning developed by Airhihenbuwa, to construct an understanding of cultural influences among specific immigrant populations in relation to vaccine-preventable diseases. Through examining the Positive, Negative, and Existential domains of the PEN-3 model, we can identify essential cultural factors that may impede or facilitate health behaviors, particularly vaccination adherence.
PEN-3 Model for Cultural Influences on Health
The PEN-3 model is distinct in that it emphasizes cultural relevance, making it invaluable for understanding health disparities among immigrant populations. The acronym PEN-3 stands for:
- P (Cultural Identity): This domain considers the cultural identity of the population at risk, including aspects such as ethnicity, language, and shared beliefs.
- E (Relationships and Expectations): This domain examines the importance of relationships within the community, including family structures, social networks, and institutional affiliations that influence health behaviors.
- N (Cultural Empowerment): This domain focuses on empowering communities through cultural practices and norms that affect health promotion and disease prevention.
Constructing the PEN-3 Table
The following table illustrates how these cultural domains can be effectively utilized to address the health of an immigrant population facing an outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases:
| P (Positive) | E (Existential) | N (Negative) |
|---|---|---|
| Strong community leaders advocating for vaccines | Cultural ceremonies that integrate health education | Mistrust of government health agencies |
| Positive stories shared about vaccination | Community outreach programs increasing awareness | Beliefs in alternative medicine over conventional vaccines |
| Access to interpreters for healthcare services | Family support systems promoting health literacy | Stigmatization of vaccinated individuals |
Discussion of Cultural Factors
Cultural identity plays a critical role in shaping health behaviors. For example, members of certain immigrant populations may share language barriers that hinder effective communication with healthcare providers, thereby complicating vaccination efforts (Iwelunmor et al., 2014). Additionally, shared beliefs often dictate health decisions — some communities may prioritize traditional practices over vaccinations, fearing side effects or questioning the safety of vaccines (Naghibi et al., 2015). Community leaders can advocate for vaccines, leveraging social networks to share positive vaccination stories that help combat misinformation.
Addressing Negative Cultural Influences
To effectively manage vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks, it is crucial to address negative cultural influences, such as mistrust toward medical institutions. This can often stem from historical inequalities or experiences within healthcare systems. Ensuring that healthcare initiatives are transparent and culturally sensitive can help build trust. Empowerment through community engagement and education can also mitigate negative perceptions regarding vaccination (Shahandeh et al., 2014).
Utilizing Cultural Empowerment
Cultural empowerment initiatives focus on actively involving community members in the development and implementation of health programs. By integrating cultural practices into healthcare strategies, such as health education incorporated within cultural celebrations, we can promote greater acceptance and participation in vaccination programs (Yick & Oomen-Early, 2009). Such approaches may also foster broader health literacy, helping individuals understand the importance of vaccinations in preventing disease outbreaks.
Conclusion
The PEN-3 Model provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the cultural dimensions of health behaviors in immigrant populations. By identifying both positive and negative cultural influences as well as leveraging cultural empowerment, public health interventions can be more effectively tailored to meet the needs of diverse communities. As global health continues to evolve, considering these cultural aspects will remain crucial in combating vaccine-preventable diseases and facilitating effective health promotion.
References
- Iwelunmor, J., Idris, O., Adelakun, A., & Airhihenbuwa, C. O. (2010). Child malaria treatment decisions by mothers of children less than five years of age attending an outpatient clinic in south-west Nigeria: An application of the PEN-3 cultural model. Malaria Journal, 9(1).
- Iwelunmor, J., Newsome, V., & Airhihenbuwa, C. O. (2014). Framing the impact of culture on health: A systematic review of the PEN-3 cultural model and its application in public health research and interventions. Ethnicity & Health, 19(1), 20-46. doi:10.1080/13557858.2013.857768
- Naghibi, S. A., Shojaizadeh, D., Montazeri, A., & Yazdani Cherati, J. (2015). Sociocultural factors associated with breast self-examination among Iranian women. Acta Medica Iranica, 53(1), 62-8.
- Shahandeh, K., Basseri, H. R., & Sharifzadeh, Y. (2014). An application of cultural model to assess and compare malaria prevention among Afghani migrant and Baluchi resident in the endemic area, southeastern Iran. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 16(1).
- Yick, A. G., & Oomen-Early, J. (2009). Using the PEN-3 model to plan culturally competent domestic violence intervention and prevention services in Chinese-American and immigrant communities. Health Education, 109(2).