Critical Thinking Paper

David Whitehead
HCS316: Cultural Diversity in Health & Illness
Instructor Gunther
April 14, 2015

Immunization is a health care program that each child deserves. In this health service, the
health care providers culture varies from that of the communities. There are parents who do not
allow their children to be immunized as this is against to their religious and cultural beliefs. For
them, immunization can only cause fever, feeling sick, and irritation to their children. Besides,
this can only send their children to the hospital due to complications. On the part of the health
care providers, they value immunization because it is very helpful in protecting the child from
any infectious disease like measles, polio, tetanus, and tuberculosis (Maurice, J 2009).

To handle this cultural dispute regarding immunization, health care providers educate the
community members by this way; the parents can understand the importance of this health care
service in keeping the health of their children. The health care providers inform the parents on
the benefits to be received by their children when they are immunized. Among those information
they should know is the capability of immunization to support the childs immune system when
similar pathogens attack the body (Maurice, J 2009). Also, they should understand that
immunization is the way to keep their children safe and protected from any harmful and deadly
disease.

Also a matter of conflict between health care providers and the community members is
regarding the use of condom in sexual activities. The community believes that condom is a
method of preventing to have children which for them, does not meet the cultural norm.
Accordingly, this signifies that one does not have trust to the partner and this even affects the
couples intimacy. On the other hand, the health care providers believe that condoms are

effective, inexpensive, and safe ways of avoiding pregnancy and protecting oneself from sexual
transmitted diseases (Carroll, J 2010).

To deal with their conflict, health care providers need to educate the community with
sexual behavior in a responsible way. They can suggest abstinence or through using condoms to
get protected from sexually transmitted disease (Carroll, J 2010). Moreover, they should let
people know that unprotected sex is allowed exclusively to married couples and individuals who
undertake HIV tests and other sexually transmitted infection. It was found out that communities
without cultural conflict with the health care providers live in a peaceful environment having no
high cases of violence, alcohol, and drugs. Besides, they practice healthy diet as well as exercise.

People are always willing to know of ways on how they can keep their body healthy.
With health care providers, they will be informed on the relevance of including exercise and
healthy diet on their everyday lives. These can help them protected from any disease, enhance
quality life, and boost their energy levels. Preventing violence and illness are among the things to
be informed. How one should react to sickness should be known by the people and they should
be encouraged to make a regular visit to the doctor for their checkups. The community members
should know the results of consuming drugs and alcohol so they will avoid all these substances
knowing that these endanger their health.

Social control plays a vital role in developing the community health concern for this is
very helpful in creating awareness on the health care providers regarding the communitys
cultural belief. Social control will indicate essential data about the communitys traditions

regarding family health, and also each persons beliefs. Being aware of the peoples traditional
beliefs within the community is significant on the part of the health care providers. By this way,
they can relate the communitys culture with the information they will give. Besides, this will aid
them in answering the possible questions of the people about health promotion matters.

One effective strategy of engaging the community is through being superficial on the
activitys purpose. For the community members to participate in the discussions, the health care
providers must use plain language when they educate so that the people who came from different
cultural backgrounds will understand well. The participants views or ideas should be respected
and responded clearly. When this has been shown by the medical community, there is an active
engagement of a diverse community who will then understand well the information provided to
them (MacKinnon, L 2003). One of the goals of health care providers is to involve the
community and keep its active role in making decisions and in general matters. One thing they
must ensure as they educate the people is that they know and understand very well the peoples
views on the issues. With this, the discussion will be done in a respectful manner and that no one
has been offended. Also, they can create a good relationship with the community members. The
medical community must urge the people to take an active part on decision-making process
regarding the implementation of immunization to the children, avoiding the use of substances
such as alcohol, drugs, and tobacco, preventing violence, and observing responsible sexual
behaviors.

The medical community members should undergo into trainings to help them develop
competent skills and strengths (Mackinnon 2003). Undertaking into this can help build an honest
and strong relationship between the diverse community and the medical community.

Reference
Carroll, J (2010). Sexuality Now Cengage Learning
MacKinnon, L (2003). Exercise management Human Kinetic
Maurice, J (2009). State of the worlds vaccines and immunization World health Organization