Culture, communication and child health

Abstract

Cultural beliefs and values implicitly and explicitly shape every aspect of the way we parent our children and how we communicate about parenting. To support parents appropriately in this new and challenging role, child health services for parents in Australia need to do more than acknowledge a diverse range of cultural practices. While many health professionals believe they act in culturally sensitive ways, we need to closely examine this belief, question the cultural assumptions implicit in the information we give, and assess the extent to which our interactions are culturally appropriate. In this paper, we present a critical review of the literature on health care provision for migrant women and families. We then suggest a need to re-examine the values, beliefs and attitudes within cultural frameworks that inform how child health professionals communicate. Specifically, communication between child health professionals and migrant parents requires further analysis. We suggest that professionals need to reflect on the cultural self rather than solely on the culture of others.Key Words cultural competence; cultural safety; communication; child health professional; parenting INTRODUCTIONMulticulturalism has influenced the formulation of Australian national and state government policies and programs for migrants since 1978 (DIMIA, 2004). Current multicultural policy incorporates a strategic direction for access and equity ensuring that 'government services are attuned to the realities of diversity in Australian society' (DIMIA, 2003: 8). The need for greater investment in vulnerable individuals and groups is highlighted. The South Australian Generational Health Review Committee identified both new arrivals and early childhood as areas requiring specific effort to promote health equity (DHS, 2003a). The review stresses the importance of the provision of culturally appropriate and safe parenting and child health services for migrant families. Research shows that culturally appropriate services are an important part of the effort to address the specific needs of these vulnerable groups (e.g., Long et al., 1999;Small et al., 2002). However while new policies in Australian health care shift the focus for service delivery for migrants from specialist providers to mainstream health care, there is little research on professional practice and cultural safety in relevant services such as child health.'Women and children are particularly susceptible to inequalities, during the antenatal period and throughout the early years of the life of a child' (DHS, 2003b: 3). Women and children from migrant families face even greater challenges in having their health care needs met primarily due to communication and culture issues. Professional practice must be maintained and enhanced in this area to ensure that providers of child health services to migrant families are able to address issues of culturally appropriate communication. This will enable them to 'enhance the quality of early childhood for children who are disadvant...

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Community-based child health nurses: An exploration of current practice

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