Student#823 394 499

Exploring health beliefs and determinants of health

Student: Dev Bahadur Gurung
Student No: 823 394 499
Date Submitted: October 07, 2013
NURS 160: Practical Nursing Theory 1
Instructor:
Humber North College

Student#823 394 499

Exploring health beliefs and determinants of health

The main objective of this paper is to explore the personal health beliefs and determinants of
health at present context. In addition, this paper focus on the personal health practices and
different cultural beliefs on health. Moreover, a culturally diverse health beliefs compares with
other and attempts to resemble and distinctive health promotion practices. So that, an
understanding of how social and cultural beliefs influence on health promotion approaches.
Beside this, paper highlight the key influencing factors of health such as income and social
status as well as social support network. In general, it consists of different health concept, key
influencing factors of health and their interrelation on health management with respect to the
nursing practices. This paper also tries to explore some evidence and ideas from secondary
information.
Health is the optimal physiological, physical and psychological functioning condition of an
individual at a given time and environment. As a positive concept, health is that condition of
being free from physical disease or pain and sound body or spirit. World Health Organization
(2012) defined that Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not
merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This definition covers the overall aspects of human
beings such as biological, physical, social and psychological with respect to health. Similarly,
Hegner, Acello and Caldwell (2008) described that Health is a state of well being in which all
parts of the body and mind are functioning properly (p. 56). Both definitions concerns with the
time period of well being and focus on sound mental and functional parts of the body. Moreover,
the health condition is the complex interactive process of biotic and abiotic components along
with social elements and that govern the presence or absence of disease in human beings.

Student#823 394 499

At every stage of life, health is determined by complex interactions between social and
economic factors, the physical environment, and individual behavior. These factors are referred
to as determinants of health (Public Health Agency of Canada [PHAC], n.d.). The major health
determinants are income and social status followed by social support networks. Similarly,
education, employment, genetic factors, individual health practice, health services, gender,
culture and social environments are the important health determinants. Although there are
various health determining factors, but they are independent or jointly accountable to govern the
same problem in health.
Regarding the health determinants, income and social status is directly related to the health
issues. Higher income associate with every aspect of human beings such as safe shelter, good
clothing against adverse climate, adequate nutritious food, access to good health care services,
education, jobs and good social relationship. Vafaei, Rosenberg and Pickett (2010) reported that
the higher income people are associated with better population health. In contrast, the people
who suffer from the low economy situation and adverse social condition are vulnerable to a
range of physiological disease and psychological stress. Similarly, the other major health
determinant is social support networks. It associates with how the person's social ties and
relationship helps to reduce the problems and health risk factors. It has majorly four aspects of
individual networking like emotional support, instrumental support, informational support and
appraisal support. For instant love, affection, trust, care, advice, information, economic and
physical assistances assist to copping the personal health and health behavior psychologically
and positive outcome. On the other hand, the social isolation, exclusion, and lack of supportive
relationships expose to the mental sickness and eventually associate with undesirable behaviors
such as smoking, alcohol, drugs and use of unhealthy substance.

Student#823 394 499

All cultures has its own beliefs to explain and management of illness and wellness. For
example, in my country Nepal, some rural people are still adhered to cultural, religious,
traditional and spiritual concept and that illness is the result of biomedical, natural or
supernatural causes or a combination of these factors (Wasti, Randall, Simkhada, & Teijilingen
2011). Beside this, they perform some traditional ritual function, prayer and worship through
making some promises or scarifying animals to the god for illness person get relief. Wasti et al.
(2011) reported that those ritual functions are accomplished by some traditional healer's chanting
words and acting. Ansari, Ibrahim, Hassali, Shankar, Koirala, and Thapa (2012) reported that the
some rural people believe that diarrhea is due to the supernatural origin. And water and fluids
are not given in most of the community during diarrheal episode (Paudel, Tiwari & Rawal,
2005, p. 30). All these facts and system imbedded in the society then drives to shape of
individual health beliefs. Therefore, at the beginning, my perception and health beliefs affected
by the culture in some extent. But, it changed over the time after the intervention of scientific
knowledge, education, access of new technology. Now, my health beliefs seek only for facts and
reason behind any disease and abnormalities on the basis of science.
Furthermore, personally, it is better to focus on understanding of the nature and origin of the
health related problems and issues rather than the traditional way. That can assist to promote
clear message of health for healthier lives. There is very important role of individuals to maintain
and improve self and family health through some health practices such as personal hygiene,
communicate knowledge and education about health. Beside this, personal skill enhancement,
health related behavior change and self awareness assists to encourage the individual
responsibility and action about health promotion. Therefore, every person needs to concern about
how to make healthy community and healthy lifestyle himself.

Student#823 394 499

Although this is the very modern and scientific period, people from some rural parts of Nepal
have still exist traditional and superstition health beliefs in some extent. In case of chicken pox
disease, some rural parts Nepalese has traditional and superstition beliefs in some extent. They
believe that this disease is selective in nature and no definite age and behavior related. In
addition, people apply traditional healing methods. In this method they use ground Jatropa seeds
over their wounds. They do not allow solid and firm food for the patient. They give only soupy,
simple (not spicy) and vegetable based foods. Similarly, in the case of Sri Lanka some people
trust that chicken pox disease is given by God. Therefore, they presume that no more treatment
apply other than some local practices. When the disease occurs the patient isolate from their
family members, not exposing the patient in free air because they believe that air is not
appropriate for that disease. At that time they strictly not allow the meat products to the patient.
Although there is no scientific evidence regarding those practices but those types of beliefs
continues after the time in different parts of the world. This different context is due to the
peoples past experience, culture, religions, socioeconomic status, and their understanding of
health, illness and disease management. Comparing the two cultural cases it seems similar in
food practice where both cultures allow only vegetable based food and focus on fluid food. In
contrast, the chicken pox disease management practices and perception about the disease
occurrence are distinctive with each other. It shows that any given group, people have varying
health practices, different level of knowledge about health related issues and diverse family
norms. Hence, recognizing of personal and cultural beliefs is significant in the health care
profession so that it can improve the treatment with considering different cultural value, norms,
beliefs.

Student#823 394 499

The nursing profession is a dynamic and comprehensive process under legal and ethical
standard to provide the best possible outcome for clients. The caring feature is integral part of
this service. Moreover, applies humanistic and caring components on the basis of technical and
cognitive aspects. It is most important to identify the client's health status, care requirement,
client health history including the social and cultural value of the client. So, understanding of
cross cultural health discipline helps to influence the health practice in response of cultural
diversity. The client applies various biomedical, spiritual, traditional healing techniques
accordance with their societal perspective and nature of the problem. In this context, the nurse
needs to consider their acceptance and handle differently to optimize outcomes for the client,
without violating beliefs or standard practice. This helps to know the culture-specific health
intervention and management practices in accordance with their religion, culture, values and
norms. Ultimately, this information contributes in critical thinking, decision making, and the
application of knowledge to plan of optimal care management of the client. Similarly, client care
can improve by providing culturally relevant, responsive services. Beside these, recognizing
cultural diversity and integrating cultural knowledge can strengthen and broaden health care
delivery systems. Thus, nursing practice need to explore clients entire perspective such as
social, cultural, physical and biological factors and their interaction related to the subject matter.
Though, it is very challenging to understand the all clients culture and beliefs but need to
develop cultural insight and respect for the rights of culturally diverse individuals. So, all those
cultural elements are sensitive and need to consider during client centered care.

Student#823 394 499

In conclusion, health is an important part of living beings which enables to sustain the life
with biologically, physically and psychologically functioning. However, this ideal health affect
by different social, cultural, environmental and psychological factors. Among them, income and
social status and social support networks categorized at the top of health determinants. Beside
this, cultural component plays an important role in developing personal, family and societal
health beliefs. Consequently, this belief influences on individual health and the health care
system. Therefore, acquiring knowledge about specific cultural norms, background, value, health
practices is essential to promote the effective and efficient health care services. Furthermore, the
nurse service is an integral part of the health service and

provides palliative, supportive,

preventive, therapeutic services in order to attain the optimal care of the client. In addition, they
need to enhance their knowledge on the basis of multicultural beliefs, value and norms, which
assist to organize a comprehensive care plan accordingly.

Student#823 394 499

Reference
Ansari, M., Ibrahim, M. I. M., Hassali, M.A., Shankar, P.R., Koirala, A., & Thapa, N. J. (2012).
Mothers beliefs and barriers about childhood diarrhea and its management in Morang
district,

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Hegner, B. R, Acello, B., & Caldwell, E. (2008). Nursing assistant: A nursing process approach
(10th Edition): Medical terminology and body organization, p. 56.

Thomson Delmar

Learning, NY.
Paudel, A.K., Tiwari, S.K., & Rawal, L.B. (2005). Socio-Cultural factors influencing in care
seeking practices during diarrhea in Tharu community. Journal of Nepal Health Research
Council, 3 (1), 30
Retrieved from htp://www.jnhrc.com.np/index.php/jnhrc/article/view/97/94
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S.P. Wasti, Randall, J., Simkhada, P., & Teijlingen, E. V. (2011). In what way do Nepalese
cultural factors affect adherence to antiretroviral treatment in Nepal? Health Science Journal,
5(1), 37-47. Retrieved from http://www.hsj.gr/volume5/issue1/516.pdf
Vafaei, A., Rosenberg, M.W., & Pickett, W. (2010). Relationships between income inequality
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