African American Care

hooterhorse · Feb 7, 2006

In the nursing home where I work (CNA) there is an African American woman that we care for. Another CNA (also an African American) made the comment to me one day, that she is the only person in the facility that knows how to care for this residents hair and that incorrect care given by other CNA's is actually ruining this patients hair (dry, brittle and breaking off). I think that it would be a good learning opportunity to research on how African Americans care for their hair and write about that.

Hooterhorse

Student Nurse

Rashandap · Feb 7, 2006

As an african american myself, looking someone in the eye is not considered rude, but be too close and articulating with your hands in a persons face is rude. In my experience not looking someone in the eye when speaking makes you seem as though you are not being honest or you are trying to hide something.

ecugirl · Feb 7, 2006

I'm from NC and have heard of people eating clay or PI-CA; but not "dirt". I don't know if that's exactly how you spell pica; I spelled it that way because that's how it is pronounced.

Sumatra · Feb 7, 2006

Thank you for this discussion. I'm very interested in cultural issues in healthcare, so I am enjoying this thread.

MultipurposeRN · Feb 7, 2006

Guess that's what I get for moving out to the Mid-West, where people tend to still move to the other side of the street when they seen anyone who MIGHT be Native American coming down the side walk.

*rolls his eyes*

Wow, where on earth do you live? I've heard of some Native American prejudice further north, like around northern Nebraska, but wasn't aware of any problems in the Midwest. I'm in SW Mo and we have a large number of people around here at least part Indian, or claim to be.

91C_ARMYLPN · Feb 7, 2006

This is a very interesting thread! When providing care for my patients, I try to be sensitive to the individual patient's needs. With respect towards religious/spiritual, cultural, traditional, and any other topic that is important for that particular person. In this case, the African-American patient. Do not make assumptions or form your own judgement. Do not believe everything that you read. Provide quality, competent, and compassionate nursing care to all people. :nurse: And, be respectful for the person that you care for. Not all African-Americans are from Africa (i.e.Haiti, Australia, Carribean, etc.) What is accepted in one culture, may be considered offensive in another. Take the time to speak with your patient. We can all learn so much from each other. Take care and have a nice day!!!

91C_ARMYLPN

marylyric · Feb 7, 2006

As a black person, here are some things that are culturally relevant to providing health care to African-Americans.
1. Direct eye contact may be interpreted as rude
2. Person may seek home remedies or witch doctor before seeking professional help
3. Due to matriarchal family structures, person may seek advice from a trusted older female relative before seeking professional help
4. High fat, high sodium diet is commonly consumed. There's a preference for fried foods
5. Personal touch is perfectly acceptable among close friends and relatives, but is offensive among strangers and acquaintances
6. There's a tendency to be present-oriented and take the day as it comes. Person might be late to appointments since punctuality isn't stressed

HA!!!!HA!!!!

Wow!! I know why we are not getting good competent care, Some of this is roll over funny. Especially the witch doctor part!!! still laughing!!! wait!!!wait!! Especially the late to the appointments part. How many people you know, that are not African American is late to appointments????? Wow this is something. I think americans in general are just late arrivals. Oh lets see, hmmmmmmmm......about the eye contact. I dont think anyone wants to be stared down, but maybe normal behavior with a friendly tone would be appropiate. I dont think anyone wants someone staring at them with a paranoid glaze, although there are those.......kinds of people. Of course who would not check with a trusted friend or family member to discuss something thats bothering them. Wow only us African Americans do this. Oh but the personal touch thing.... Very true, We Americans dont like people we dont know too close to us, about 2 feet will do, but once we get to know you, we can talk for hours, just like family. I was being a little silly, but bottom line, dont believe everything you read, Just get to know some people who are African American and ask. But what we are really uncomfortable with is phoney people.

2blessed2Bstressed · Feb 7, 2006

Regardless of being politically correct, we are a melting pot in this day and age. I am of African descent, which is why I prefer to be called African-American, not black. Black is a color and I am not a color, but a human being. African Americans embrace this identifier, because historically we have been stripped of the individuality of our culture. Many of my family members look caucasian, asian, native american and every other nationality, but we know where our roots started. Just give competent nursing care and what ever you do will be appropriate.

callnurse45 · Feb 7, 2006

Could you expand on #1? I cannot imagine not looking someone, anyone in the eye when talking to them. It would feel rude to me, as though I'm ignoring them, or not wishing to talk with them. Can you help me understand?

To multicollinarity

After reading your input to this post, I was surprised that you id'd yourself as AA. I am an AA, and twice your age, and have never heard of any of those items attributed to AA's, except as myths stated by some other race. From which source did you find this nonsense. When I read #1, I thought you might be referring to dogs. Never make eye contact?? Really!!!

mfe916 · Feb 8, 2006

Received an assignment today to report on African American health beliefs and practices as they relate to patient care. Anyone have any thoughts on resources or how to provide culturally competent care ?
Thanks in advance for your help!

Go to http://www.ggalanti.com/cultural_prfiles/african_american.html

has some interesting things on it.. good luck..

P_RN, ADN, RN · Feb 8, 2006

This is a good thread.

I'm in the south (all my 61 years) and I recall as a child seeing ladies take teaspoons and getting white clay to eat. Mama said it was because they were pregnant....maybe she said "expecting or in a family way." Anyway later on I found out that it was Pica from Fe deficiency or so my OB instructor said. Mama being from NYC she wasn't a southern cultural expert.

Now Grandmama wouldn't let us put our feet on the ground before June 1 because we would get "ground itch." I guess the itch went away for the summer.

Seriously though in our state capital about 20 years ago there was a multiple homicide at a house run by a "root doctor." One of my friend's sister was killed there. It wasn't a witch doctor per se though.

I don't see how one set of cultural customs could possibly fit the variety of people we have. Mama's family definitely believed in evil-eye, as well as a crucifix in every room and no meat on Friday. Daddy's mama would fry fatback for breakfast and use the grease as gravy on the grits. ewwwwww. She also didn't spare the rod. We all loved her.

I look people in the eye, live in a matriarchic (Mama knows best) culture, but you still trace your daddy's line first, I eat too much fat, I believe in prayer, I believe in Satan, and I'm happy I'm American. Enough of me now.

SFCardiacRN · Feb 8, 2006

P RN, I loved your post. Great story! Culturally, southern blacks are closer to southern whites than to northern blacks (or whites). I think issues of culture cannot be based solely on color of skin. People trying to be "culturally sensitive" in approach based on a persons perceived color will only be disappointed with the result. New Orleans is a perfect example. It is a wonderful mix of people bound geographically with few differences based on skin color.IMHO