HEALTHCARE AND THE
SOMALI CULTURE
By: Lisa Harter & Mikyla Strand
OVERVIEW
 Background
 Community
Partner
 Somali Elders Council (SEC)
 Services Offered
 Brochure Information
Cultural competence
 Gender sensitivity
 Tips of culture competent care

BACKGROUND
 In
1990, Minnesota had fewer than 5,000
residents that were born in Africa(Immigration
in Minnesota-discovering common ground,
2004).
 As of today, Minnesota has the largest number
of Somalis in the U.S., an estimated 50,000
(Stratishealth, 2010)
COMMUNITY PARTNER
Alikhadar Yusuf is a Somali Elders Council member.
 He has been with the organization for 6 months.
 He has been in the United States for about 9 years.
 He graduated from St. Cloud State with his bachelor's
degree and is currently working on his Masters.
 He hopes to someday get his PhD and become a
politician.
 Ali sets up the training and community outreach
meetings with local organizations.

SOMALI ELDERS COUNCIL (SEC)
 Provides
a first learning experience for newly
arrived immigrants and refugees who do not
have language and living skills necessary to
thrive in the community.
 Help develop skills in:





Conflict resolution
Leadership
Advocacy
Training
Community organization
SOMALI ELDERS COUNCIL (SEC)
 They
offer an array of services to help
immigrants and refugees acclimate to
their new community.
 Also to help the Somali immigrant and
refugees to achieve a greater level of
independence.
SERVICES OFFERED
 English
language classes
 Basic computer skills
 Mathematics
 Citizenship and civic test preparation
 Social services
 Financial assistance and health services
 School enrollment
 Educational opportunities for adults
SERVICES OFFERED CONT
 Domestic
abuse training
 Integration into society after incarceration
 Conflict resolution training
 Community relations trainings
 Volunteer services
CULTURAL COMPETENCE
In the medical field, healthcare providers should make it
a point to be familiar with the culture of their patients.
 May expect someone with a different belief to conform
to our way of doing things.
 Having an interpreter on hand to handle any
miscommunications.
 Getting to know the Somali culture can:

Make patients with these beliefs feel comfortable.
 Make them feel thought of in the healthcare process.

GENDER SENSITIVITY
In the Islamic religion, having physical contact with
someone of the opposite sex that is not your marriage
mate is not acceptable.
 A female patient would want to see a female doctor.
 A male patient would want to see a male doctor.
 Few exceptions:

Extreme circumstances
 Emergency
 Only one doctor in that specialty

TIPS FOR CULTURE COMPETENT CARE
 When
asking a Somali patient about their
symptoms, they may say that it hurts all over.
 Depression, anxiety, and PTSD are common
among Somali refugees.
 Immunizations are required to receive their
green card.
 Explain the importance of immunizations.
TIPS CONTINUED
 Provide
information on why well-child check ups
are important.
 Express the importance of being active and
maintaining nutrition.
 Changes in medication schedules during
Ramadan may be needed since during this time
Somali’s may be fasting.
WORKS CITED
Immigration in Minnesota-discovering common ground. (2004).
Africa- Focus on Somalis. Retrieved 1/27/10 from
www.minneapolisfoundation.org/immigration/africa.htm.
Stratishealth.(2010). Somalis in Minnesota. Retrieved 1/27/10
from www.culturecareconnection.org/matters/diversity/soamli