Russian Cultural Profile
Health Beliefs and Practices

One common Russian remedy for colds and flu is the use of "bonki." Glass cups are pressed on a sick person’s back and shoulders to ease fever and flu symptoms, often leaving behind bruises and welts. More than once, such practices have been misunderstood by health care providers, who fear that their patients are being abused. Vera clearly remembers translating for one woman who, when asked how she got the bruises on her back, responded that her husband had done it to her. The doctor had one hand on the phone to call social services before Vera could explain that the woman’s husband had provided a traditional health remedy in order to alleviate his wife’s illness.

Understanding how people of different cultures view illness and different approaches to healing can be crucial for health care providers. Indeed, providers need to know why a patient might resist a certain treatment - and it can be useful to be acquainted with traditional health practices that might be used.

Beliefs

Even very young children in America know that germs cause sickness. As Americans grow older, they learn that bacteria and viruses cause most infections and illnesses. Doctors explain that such things have been scientifically proven, and their patients typically have no reason to doubt their health care provider. It is hard to imagine that anyone would not believe that a virus is the cause of the common cold.

Yet, in different cultures people have different ideas about the causes of illness. In Anne Fadiman’s The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, she explains how the Hmong believe that physical illness could be caused by the loss of one’s soul. During the Middle Ages, people thought that God had infected the European populace with the bubonic plague as punishment for sin.

While Russian doctors are trained in modern medicine much like American doctors, their patients still have some different ideas about the causes of illness. Russians are preoccupied with staying warm because they think that cold can cause illness. If Russians get the flu, they are more likely to blame it on exposure to a draft than to exposure to a virus. Thus, you would be hard-pressed to find a window open in a Moscow home in the middle of winter, no matter how stuffy it might be inside the small apartment. And it would be even harder to find a Russian child without a hat, scarf and snowsuit anytime the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Because Russians so fear cold, they are likely to resist a doctor’s suggestion to ice a sore part of their body. When Vera hurt her back, for example, a doctor suggested a combination of hot and cold packs to ease the pain. She opted to just use the hot packs - and avoid the cold.

In addition, Russians are very anxious about x-rays. Vera explained that most Russians do not want to have too many x-rays done, or to have x-rays very often, because they are worried about the possible negative effects of the radiation. Their concerns are well-founded; in Russia, outdated machines are still used to take x-rays. These older machines do emit a dangerously high level of radiation, and doctors in Russia recommend that patients only have one x-ray per year.

Vera has translated for many Russian patients who refused to have multiple x-rays taken. However, when she explained to them that newer, safer machines are used in the United States she convinced them that the x-rays posed little danger to their health. Indeed, in many cases it was crucial to have the x-rays in order for the medical center staff to provide optimal health care.

Practices

The primary method Russians use to prevent illness is to stay warm. Vera stresses the importance of keeping your feet warm - particularly during the cold winter months. She also encourages snowsuits for children, and a hat to prevent illness and damage to your brain. When Vera does get sick, she uses herbal teas, boiled milk with honey and heating pads to alleviate symptoms. She goes to extra efforts to stay warm, and does not drink cold beverages.

Some Russians will take a half tablespoon of vodka with sugar to cure a cough, or will put their feet in hot water to ease a sore throat. Additionally, in Russia physicians are likely to prescribe more than just medication to remedy illness; chiropractics, aromatherapy or massage might be used.