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Instructor Name:

Vasanthy Harnanan

Assignment
Name:

NURS 103 SCHOLARLY ASSIGNMENT

Date of
Submission:

10/21/14

Student Name
BELLO SADIQ ADISA

Student Number
824-067-144

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INTRODUCTION
The aim of this assignment is to explore personal and cultural beliefs using selfreflection and the determinants of health. It is required that student identify factors
(determinants of health) that influence his/her personal health practices. Student is
required to compare and contrast personal health beliefs and practices with one
other classmate from a different culture. It is required that student discuss the
comparative learning and how this may affect or influence future nursing practice.
BODY
People have different paradigm that influence the way and manner they act which
relatively influence environment, personal and social well-being of such individual.
Health is defined as a state of well-being of an individual and people have different
notion to ways they view their health status. For example, I could be healthy
physically but my emotional and mental capabilities could be impaired. Health is not
about looking good but also to be mentally and socially motivated at all times.
According to (W.H.O, 1947) health is defined as a state of complete physical,
mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity
(Potter and Perry p.2). Looking at my cultural heritage, health is viewed as a state of
physical well-being of an individual or wellness of an individual which attributed to
affluence. It is often believed that if you are rich then ultimately your wellness is
guaranteed. This is not always true at all times. A poor individual could be healthier
than an affluent person giving the necessary support, information and awareness of
safe health practices.

The presence or absence of physiological and safety

conditions of the Maslow hierarchy of needs could lead to several determinants of

health (Maslow's hierarchy of needs. (2003).
The factors that contribute to a healthy lifestyle or living conditions can range from
income, social status, level of education, social support networks employment and
working conditions, physical environment, biological and genetic endowments,
health services, culture, gender, social environment and many more. These factors
have a huge role in determining the pattern and mode of health practices being
adopted by various individual. However, the two most important determinants of

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health according to my perspective are income and social status and level of
education (Mikkonen & Raphael, 2010). These two determinants of health are
chosen over others because they are precursors or primary cause for other
determinants of health.

For example, lack of income and social status can

determine the type of health service a person will choose. The health service a rich
person chooses differs from that of a poor person living in remote places.
Income can determine the ease of access to health care services in the society. The
recent outbreak of Ebola virus in third world /developing countries such as Liberia,
New Guinea, and Nigeria is as a result of poverty and leaders inability to provide
infrastructures that provide acute care for people. Poverty seems to be a major
factor or determinants of health that ravage the continent of Africa. Income and
social status difference between the rich and poor people of Africa result in choosing
better health care and the ability to influence the environment they live in. The poor
people dont have access to good health care and rely on the government to
provide them with these facilities. There are probably no health infrastructures in
place or the available ones are already failing because of lack of maintenance and
upgrades. The primary tragedy is that Ebola has overwhelmed healthcare systems
that were already failing the poor. The people of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone
needed adequate healthcare services before this outbreak happened. Of course, a
healthcare system that cannot cope with more prevalent diseases cannot cope with
an extraordinary outbreak like this, either (Rorger Williamson, 2014) (retrieved
from http://www.scidev.net/global/disease/analysis-blog/the-hidden-tragedy-behindebola.html). Poverty seems to have it effect in determining the lifestyle of an
individual. Lack of material resources that support health can lead to unhealthy
lifestyles such as drinking and smoking which ultimately lead to stress (Raphael ,
2009)(Potter and Perry ,P.7). The resulting stress is due to lack of income and no
social support networks. It is estimated that 23% of Canadians premature loss of life
can be accounted for by income differences. Low income Canadians are more likely
to die early and to suffer from most diseases, regardless of age, sex, race, culture or
place of residence (Phipps, 2003) ( Porter and Perry ,P.7)
Also, the level of education and literacy of an individual can be a precursor to
several health determinants. Education can lead to a better life, better job, and
ability to make use of opportunity, negate risky and unhealthy lifestyle. Most of

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what we know today about our health status is as a result of continuous interaction
may be it formal or informal which allows you and I to develop humanistic attitudes,
values, knowledge , insight and skills to provide solutions and probable causes to
the things that happens to us in life (unit 1 class Module, Practical Nursing Theory).
This is accomplished via various research and experimental methods. Literacy can
undermine several health risks from the patients inability to read prescription, how
to make use of drug, and safety instructions in work places (Porter and Perry, P.7).
For example, an uneducated individual is likely to engage in unhealthy behaviours
because of lack of information and the stress from not being able to secure a wellpaying job. People who move up the ladder of education are more likely to secure
better employment and achieve job satisfaction. Therefore, they are able to live a
healthy life because of income availability and social support networks; also they
are able to utilize available information from the media about health related
hazards. Better educated citizens have more opportunities to benefit from new
training opportunities if their employment situation suddenly changes. Furthermore,
education facilitates citizens possibilities for civic activities and engagement in the
political process. In other words, people attain better understanding of the world
and they become more able to see and influence societal factors that shape their
own health (Mikkonen & Raphael, 2010) (P. 15). People with higher education
levels tend to smoke less, be more physically active, and have access to healthier
food and physical environments ( Federal, Provincial, and Territorial ACPH, 1999)
(Potter and Perry P.7).
My cultural belief is a reflection of who I am today. It has shaped my ways and
channeled my path towards achieving great health.

I come from western Africa

(Nigeria). Nigeria is a country of about 140 million people with diverse tribes. I come
from the western part of the country, precisely from Oyo state. The people that cut
across this region are known as Yorubas. We are known for our dance, food,
marriage celebration, clothing and worshipping of gods. In Yoruba ethics, it is
expected that young ones be respectful to their elders or older ones. Young ones
such as children should not talk back to their parents and that they should always
listen and acknowledge on their parents words. When greeting the elderly, young
people are to either prostrate or knee which signifies a form of respect and
acknowledge the fact that they were raised by good parents. In my tribe, there are

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several deities and gods such as the god of thunder known as Sango, the god of
metal known as Ogun and several more. Our food is mostly composed of starch, lots
of protein, oils and vegetables. A man is allowed to marry more than one wife if he
has the capability to cater for their needs.
I come from a family of five and our religious belief is Islam. As a Muslim I believe in
God and I acknowledge Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) as the messenger
of Allah. We believe in the five pillars of Islam which is: having faith, praying five
times daily, giving offering to the poor, fasting in the month of Ramadan and going
on pilgrimage. As Muslims we believe in cleanliness which is reflected in the
ablution we do before offering any prayer. We associate God with pureness and for
you to reach him you have to be clean physically, mentally and emotionally.

In

Islam a menstruating woman cannot offer her five daily prayers and she is
exempted from prayers as she is viewed as not clean. She resumes prayer after her
last day of menstruation with the performance of a spiritual bath. We believe men
and women should cover all parts of their body especially the women. Women are
expected to cover their beauty so as not to distract men from having illicit and
lustful sexual behaviors. Men are expected to lower their gaze. The movements and
positions during prayer relax and flex the muscle which aids venous return of blood
to the heart. The hand washing (ablution) performed before prayer prevents the
spread of diseases. The fasting being made in the month of Ramadan relaxes the
digestive system and allow for individual to lose weight as weight gain could
contribute to ailment such as diabetes and obesity.
In my religion, we believe that men and women are equal and that they have their
roles to play in building a family. Men are regarded as the head of the family and
takes charge of most of things around the home such as providing shelter, food and
clothing. While the wife acts as support for the husband by being submissive to him,
listens to his order and takes care of the family. This approach to family building has
worked for a very long time other than what we are experiencing today, as family
are getting divorced. As Muslims, we are expected to eat halal foods which include
all fruits and vegetables, all sea foods, all herbivores animals with the exclusion of
pork, and canine eating animals such as tigers, dog, lion and many more. Animals
killed for food will be halal if the word Bismillah Allah Akbar is recited on them
before they are being slaughtered for food. Muslims are not expected to take

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alcohol or any substances that could affect the normal cognitive functioning of the
brain. The non-eating of some food such as pork and its oil (lard), which is high in
cholesterol can greatly reduce the risk of heart disease and obesity. Also, the nonconsumption of alcohol has reduced the rate at which the liver detoxifies food
materials, as alcohol consumption has been linked with liver diseases such as
cirrhosis. This belief has greatly contributed to my healthy lifestyle directly or
indirectly.
In contrast to my class mate culture, she is Canadian. She comes from a family line
of Christianity. She explained to me how her culture has shaped her. In my findings,
she believes that modern medicine is not good which I find very interesting as this
belief encompass the use of food and herbs to cure ailments. She also stated how
they used to eat as one family round the table but with modern day advancements
they do not practice this anymore. She emphasized the nature of her dad as a strict
and loveable person who always stands his ground as the head of the family but in
contrast with her mum who was always a free soul and adventurous person.

She

acknowledged she is Christian but she is not practising. Christians believe Jesus is
the son of God, and he died on the cross for our forgiveness. While growing up, she
told me about how they love taking vegetables and fruits other than what they eat
now which is mostly junk foods. She found out that they were healthier back then
because they ate balanced diet in right portions. As part of the Canadian culture,
she told me they always had thanks giving where families and relatives come
together. This helps in enhancing family bond and unity.
From my findings, I could see some similarities in the food we eat, ways the
environment shape our mode of dressing and the faith we practice. There is value
placed on life, death, health, cleanliness and emotional well-being of both cultures.
However, I could also spot some significant differences as to how my culture and
her culture differ. My take and practice of religion is different and I value the ethics
of religion more than my ethnicity. However, religion is not really valued by my class
mate. She believes in the existence of God but do not practice her religion. My
culture values respect for elders and looking up to them as role models whereas her
culture does not really pay attention to the little ethical issue encompassing respect
for elders. Also, my religion does not permit me to take certain food as they are
regarded as unholy whereas her faith allows the intake of any food.

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Results from assessing my class mate culture and my culture has greatly
enlightened me to be culturally aware of certain ethics that are being practiced in
Canada. From this comparative learning, I have learnt how to interview and take
assessment based on culture of a client. I have been able to develop ways to
manage and accommodate culture sensitive issue pertaining to a client. With
regards to working with the belief of such client I am able facilitate ways for which I
can provide the best therapeutic care for a patient. I now know the principle of selfreflection and how to develop ways in understanding my clients culture because
everyone has a set of beliefs or values. I have learnt to pay huge attention on
culture of the client as this could undermine the therapeutic relationship. My
nursing practice will be impacted upon because I am aware that every patient has a
culture so I should be open minded to understanding and empathizing with patient
beliefs .Also, I should not impose any judgement based on culture sensitive issues
or try to impose my belief on a patient.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I explored my personal and cultural health beliefs which I identified
two determinants of health. I defined health as state of well-being (physically,
mentally and socially). I highlighted the W.H.O definition of health which is a state of
complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity. I stated two determinant of health Income and social status
and level of education as preferred over other determinants of health as they are
precursors or primary causes for other determinants of health. I gave rationales to
why I choose these two determinants. I highlighted my cultural beliefs laying
emphasis to my religious belief as a Muslim. I stated some practice in Islam which
has influenced my health status. I made emphasis on ablution, non-consumption of
alcohol which reduces the rate of liver diseases such as cirrhosis. Also, I talked
about my culture with reference to respect to elders. I compared and contrasted on
the culture of my class mate which I found similarities and differences. Furthermore,
I analyzed how my nursing practice will be influenced from the comparative learning
which I stated that I will be more culturally aware of patients beliefs and values and
that I will be able to work with patients beliefs to provide the best therapeutic
relationship.

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REFERENCES
Mikkonen, J., & Raphael, D. (2010).
Social Determinants of Health: The Canadian Facts. Toronto: York
University School
of Health Policy and Management. The publication is available
at
http://www.thecanadianfacts.org/ Copyright 2010 Juha Mikkonen and
Dennis Raphael

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Potter,P., Perry, A.G. (2014). In Ross-kerr, J., Wood, M., Astle, B., & Duggleby, W.
(Eds),
Canadian fundamentals for nursing. (5th ed). Toronto: Mosby
Ronson, B., & Rootman, I. (2009).
Literacy and Health Literacy: New Understandings about their Impact
on Health. In D. Raphael (Ed.), Social Determinants of Health: Canadian
Perspectives (pp. 170-186). 2nd edition. Toronto: Canadian Scholars Press.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs. (2003). In The new Penguin business dictionary. Retrieved from
http://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/penguinbus/maslow_s_hierarchy_of_needs/0

Williamson, R., (2014). SCI DEV NET: Bringing science and development together
through news and analysis. Retrieved from:
http://www.scidev.net/global/disease/analysis-blog/the-hidden-tragedy-behindebola.html)