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Bosnian
Cultural Profile
Women's
Health/ Gender Issues
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- It is generally
acceptable for a male doctor to examine a Bosnian
woman. Some strict Muslims are not allowed
to have males examine them, due to their husband's
disapproval. The "norm" among the
Bosnians in Utica, however, is that it is acceptable for
both male or female nurses and doctors to examine a
female.
- "Male gynecologists
are a different story," stated Lidija Hamzic, a
Bosnian refugee living in Utica, NY. Most Bosnian
women, especially those coming from rural areas, do not
want a male gynecologist. Therefore, many of these
women do not get good reproductive health care because
they are afraid to use it. Providing female
patients with a list of female gynecologists in the area
would be helpful.
- Abortion is not an
option for most Bosnian women.
- Both Christianity and
the Muslim religions facilitate good health care.
Their religious texts encourage taking care of the
physical body as well as the spiritual.
- In Bosnia, women are
well-educated in terms of preventive health care.
They are required to take two years of Biology,
which includes a good deal of current health care
issues. For example, HIV/AIDS prevention is taught
in school.
(The information above was obtained through an interview
with Lidija Hamzic)
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