Afghanistan - Patientipi

Dear fellow caregivers,
You are receiving a patient from Afghanistan.
Here is a list of useful information to know in the context of their medical care.

General Information

Distance Paris ✈ Kabul : 3472 miles
37.17 million inhabitants / Average salary: $48 per month
Literacy rate: 38% / Life expectancy: 60.7 years
Spoken languages: Patchou and Dari (Persian).

● Afghanistan is a country at war since 2001.
● Afghans represent the 2nd largest population of people who have fled their country (2.7 million) behind Syrians (5.5 million).
● In Afghanistan, homosexuality is punishable by death.
● The most common diseases are: tuberculosis, cholera, Covid-19, dengue, hepatitis A and B, rabies, malaria, Zika, typhoid and yellow fever.

Communication

● Some women may feel embarrassed to shake your hand. Instead, they may prefer to place their hand on their chest as a greeting.
● Among Afghan men, it is common to hug each other as a greeting.
● It is best not to make too much eye contact with an Afghan person. Afghans of the opposite sex do not usually look each other in the eyes.

Beliefs, Practices & Rituals

● Afghanistan is a 99% Muslim country. Afghans therefore celebrate and follow Islamic rites and can perform up to 5 prayers a day.
● In some rural areas, people may believe that the disease is caused by the evil spirit, the “Jinn”.
● The “Jinn” is said to take over children’s bodies and be responsible for a disease that can be similar to tetanus. Thinking that they cannot heal, the parents could refuse medical examinations.
● During the month of Ramadan, fasting is de rigueur every day from sunrise to sunset.
● Ramadan is practiced by the majority of the population.
● During Ramadan, a small amount of blood may be taken and does not interrupt the fast.
● During this period, the suffering person is allowed to eat to regain strength if the doctor deems it necessary.
● During Ramadan, therapeutic massage is allowed and does not break the fast, unlike the comfort and well-being massage.”
● In Afghanistan, it is customary for a woman to be treated / massaged by a female caregiver, showing only the areas to be treated.

Dietary habits

● The Muslim religion prohibits the consumption of pork and alcohol.
● During the month of Ramadan, fasting is de rigueur every day from sunrise to sunset.
● The best known dish in Afghanistan is kabuli pulao, made from chicken, rice and spices. Kebabs and nans are very popular dishes.
● The national drink is green tea without sugar.
● Fruit juices such as banana juice or lemon juice are very popular with the population.

Pregnancy and maternity

● Abortion is illegal in Afghanistan and is only performed when there is danger to the mother’s life.
● In Afghanistan, deaths in childbirth are the leading cause of death among women.
● Male doctors in Afghanistan are not allowed to perform gynaecological consultations.
● During childbirth, one practice requires the cord to be sprinkled with sifted earth to make it dry faster. These practices can cause neonatal tetanus.
● The use of kohl eye make-up on babies’ eyes is a common practice that can cause neonatal conjunctivitis.
● Some “Dayas” (local birth attendants) may advise infertile women to carry a fruit in their vagina. This can lead to infections.
● For some women, stopping periods during menopause can be equated to the fact of carrying a dead foetus. They then beg to have it removed in order to regain their fertility.

End-of-life care

● For Muslims, the mortuary toilet represents a very important step in the passage to the afterlife. This operation follows a very precise codification and process. It should be carried out by Muslims, preferably family members or relatives, or an Imam.
● In Islam, life is said to be sacred and the body inviolable. However, organ donation is possible from the moment the transplant is performed in order to save a life.

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