Traditional and complementary medicine use by African migrant women in Australia : the interface between cultural health practices and Western medicine

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the traditional health practices and beliefs of African migrant women living in Sydney, and how this experience may influence their health-seeking behaviour. In addition, this study aims to investigate how acculturation, pre-migration experiences, and access to Western medical care may impact the use of traditional medicine among African migrant women in Australia. This study was a first of its kind to investigating traditional health practices of African women who have resettled in Australia. As such, the findings provide a new insight into the traditional health practices and beliefs of African migrant women and has contributed to the understanding of how this influences their health-seeking behaviours. Implications from this study can lead to educating health professionals, health educators and policy makers about the traditional health practices, beliefs, and health-seeking behaviours of African migrant women. This may help these parties create or improve strategies to direct and educate African migrant women to ensure appropriate and safe utilisation of traditional medicine alongside Western medical care. The implications of the research findings also suggest that health education interventions are needed to increase Africa migrant women's use of Western healthcare services, taking into account their cultural health practices and beliefs. It is also argued that further research on African migrant women's health literacy and their challenges in accessing Western health services are imperative to inform the provision of effective health information and education.

Date of Award	2019
Original language	English