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Women's Health and Gender
Issues
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Gender is a crucial issue in health
and healthcare. Gender determines one's role in society, and it may affect their response
to illness and/or their recovery. "In general, same-sex physicians and nurses should
be assigned if possible when dealing with non-Anglo ethnic groups" (Galanti 1997,
p.80). Photo: Women in Yemen, Delores M.
Walters
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Women from many Asian and Middle Eastern cultures are extremely
uncomfortable being examined by a man because of their sense of modesty or their cultural
norms that prohibit any close contact with unrelated males. Similarly, men may feel
uncomfortable if they are examined by a woman, because they have been conditioned by their
male-dominated cultures to reject the authority of even the most highly trained female
professionals.
Areas of Concern:
 | gynecological, urological, lower gastrointestinal and sexual
health problems: it is very important that these particularly sensitive health
concerns be addressed with the utmost delicacy and care. TBecause these issues can be
embarrassing even for non-immigrant patients, healthcare providers should recognize
refugees' and immigrants' reluctance to discuss certain concerns with strangers whose
cultural background and language/communication styles are so different. (Queensland
Health).
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| female purity and modesty: many cultures stress the
values of purity and modesty among females, and nurses should be prepared, even if they
are women themselves, that their patients may be uncomfortable undressing, showering, and
exposing certain parts of the body for examination (Queensland
Health).
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| Birth Control/Abortion: many cultures, particularly
those with a strong base in religion, strictly prohibit all forms of birth control and
abortion.
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| Prenatal and Postnatal Precautions: people from other
cultures follow many different prenatal rituals to ensure good health for their baby.
Certain foods may be intentionally avoided, while others are specifically eaten. Women
from some Asian cultures, including many Vietnamese women, are encouraged not to complain
during pregnancy, and traditionally, no pain medication will be accepted during child
birth. Also, due to dietary restrictions after delivery, Vietnamese woman may become
malnourished for up to three months.
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