Cultural Views Regarding Modern Medical Practices

 When working in the health field it is important to be aware that some cultural groups may have different attitudes towards modern medicine and modern medical practices. Of course, not all minority groups are opposed to modern medical approaches, and it would be leaning into stereotypes to assume so. Here I will provide a few examples of cultural attitudes regarding modern medical practices: 

• Some Haitian women use traditional medicine practices involving herbs and remedies as a first resort over modern Western medicine. For instance, intravaginal hygiene practices called "twalet" are meant to maintain the drying and tightening of the vagina to increase pleasure of male partners. Chemicals that they are exposed to lead to this population being at a higher risk for HPV and cervical cancer. They are less likely to seek preventative screenings like pap smears. 
• Some in the Caribbean culture are influenced by their religious beliefs that include that illness and disability are the will of God and supposed to happen. 
• Hispanic folk illnesses like Mal de Ojo ("Evil Eye") and Susto (fright) may be encountered. Mal de Ojo is a hex thought to be cast by the look of an envious person at the victim or their belongings. Susto is a severe fright from a traumatizing experience thought to cause illness. Healers called curanderos may be consulted. 
• Some African American folk medicine practices include the use of garlic to ward off evil spirits and drops of turpentine for contraception. 

Sources: Rose, P. R. (2013). Cultural competency for the Health Professional. Jones & Bartlett Learning.