Mexican Culture Presentation

Cultural Group

• 11th largest country in terms of population
• The largest Spanish speaking-nation
• Mexican tradition and cultural values carry within the large country, results in distinct practices and behavior patterns
• Strong importance of family
• Value friendship, humor, hard work, honesty and personal honor

Cultural Group

Concept of Time & Orientation to Time

• Focused on present moment rather than on the past or future
• May even be reluctant to incorporate the future into plans
• The Mexican custom of a siesta represents rest as a priority
• The present moment is more important
• Schedules and activities may start late and last longer with no definite time frame

View of Mexico's concept of time and orientation of time

How does the concept of time relate to health-seeking behavior?

How language and communication patterns impact health seeking

behaviors

Space orientation

Family Structure & Social Network

• Mexican culture is based on family and the belief that family takes precedence and is high priority
• Family comes before individual and community needs
• May share home with family and friends or all live within the same neighborhood
• The household is multi-generational income
• Based on unity

Healthcare Decisions

• Strengthening healthcare has been of importance, including small private healthcare systems and universal health insurance program
• The mother is in charge of the healthcare decisions within the household
• Home remedies are passed from mother to daughter

Children & Elderly

• The poverty rate in Mexico is high which affects children and the elderly
• Children help as much as possible around the house
• The elderly are viewed with high levels of respect
• The elderly are typically taken care of by their children, specifically daughters, and grandchildren
• The family remains the principal source of support for the elderly
• They tend to even more in with their children if that type of care is needed

Cultural Community in Health Promotion

• Mexico originally lacked information and resources back in 2005 to promote health
• General Directorate of Health Promotion addressed this by launching the Health Promotion Operational Model
• Educate and train to prevent or delay chronic disease
• Stress importance of health care visits
• Established general guidelines

Health Support System

• Divided between public and private facilities
• Majority of the population depends on the government institutions
• Mexicans will use home remedies as much as possible and are familiar with self-treatment

Usual Religious Practices

What are the usual religious practices of the cultural group?

-Beliefs are typical influences by the traditions of Aztec and Spanish cultures

-Generally Roman Catholic however, evangelical Christians have become more popular in this group.

-May prefer to have religious symbols around or near them while in hospital care.

Unique Beliefs

What are the beliefs that are unique to this culture?e

-Trust and respect are very important

-Stoicism (A philosophy that flourished in ancient Greece and Rome. Stoics believed that people should strictly restrain their emotions in order to attain happiness and wisdom; hence, they refused to demonstrate either joy or sorrow. (“Definition of stoicism Dictionary.com,” n.d.) Common for patients to not report pain.

-Prefer to stay modest

-Some believe that an “evil eye” can cause them harm (also mal de ojo)

Religious Sanctions

Are there any religious sanctions on health care practices?

-Items that represent their religion are very important- The presence of crosses, rosaries, bibles, etc.

-Not uncommon for patients/family to want to attend Mass daily

beliefs regarding holidays, health, illness, birth rituals and death rituals

What are the cultural groups’ beliefs regarding holidays, health, illness, birth rituals and death rituals?

-Many pray to Saints of the Catholic church in hopes for help/guidance.

-Contraceptive use is usually contradictive of religious views

-Must accept what is happening as God’s will

-Hot and cold theory

-Pregnant women are expected to stay inside during lunar eclipse and full moon as it is known to cause birth defects

-Midwives typically used for birth

Spiritual Advisers

Who are the main spiritual advisers for the whole culture and for the individual family units?

-Families tend to have large family presents and extended family/friend support system

-Men typically are leader and decision makers of their home but women are very highly respected.

-Elders are known for knowledge and looked to for advice

-Herbalists, healers, midwives are common in this culture and in some home health care settings they work together with western medicine practices

Common Health Problems:

Common health problems

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Cardiovascular diseases - HTN, heart disease and stroke
• Increased rates of alcohol use (men)
• Illicit drug use. Women more likely to have both mental health and subtance abuse disorders
• Chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver cancer
• High rates of poverty impact access to health care - linked to high rates of domestic violence
• Those earning lower wage more likely to be working in hazardous jobs and increase to environmental toxins

Health Promotion, Illness Prevention, and Health Restoration

Health promotion, illness prevention, health restoration

• Balance in mind, body, and spirit
• Use of hots and colds, and wet and dry
• Physical activity highly valued, males esp enojy sports
• Value self-care and cleanliness, daily bathing
• Herbs and spices
• Rituals
• Prayer, belief in miracles, wearing of religious metals and amulets, religious relics in homes
• Causes of illness believed to be supernatural (Magico-religious) - use religion as a way of coping

Health Promotion Resources

Health promotion resources available

• Office of Minority Health - National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health
• Title VI Civil Rights Act - Assistance with communication, utilizing interpreters
• State specific special insurance programs (MEDI-CAL in CA, Child Health Plus in NY)
• Federally Qualified Community Health Centers (FQHCs) - limited resources & lack health insurance, regardless of immigration status

Similarities to Medical/Healthcare Practices in the U.S.

Similarities & differences with healthcare practices in the U.S.

• Western medicine is found in larger Mexican cities. Like the U.S., patients need money for healthcare. Due to high poverty rate, many will turn to less expensive, traditional medicines instead.
• Use religion as coping mechanism for acute and chronic illnesses - widely encouraged and respected in U.S. healthcare

Culturally Specific Health Practices

Culturally specific health practices

• May seek assistance from traditional practitioners/folk healers such as Curandero, Partera (lay midwives), herbalists, spiritualists, healers, & massage therapists.
• Pluralistic approach - integrating traditional & Western medicine
• Home remedies - hot/cold & wet/dry therapies, metals and amulets, prayers, herbs & herabal teas, massage, and jewelry to ward of the "Evil Eye"
• Many do not tell physician they are receiving care from folk healer/using remedies. Important to know if they are, esp. greta and azarcon (contain lead).

Response to Pain

Response to pain

• Stoicism is encouraged
• May not report pain
• Accept pain and suffering as God's will.
• Important to acknowledge patient's desire to remain stoic but encourage them to report pain and to watch for nonverbal cues

What are some common foods consumed by members of this culture?

Food Preparation

- hot/spicy preparation

-typically inspired by indigenous and Spanish influences

What are typical methods of food preparation?

Diet Restrictions

-Catholic religion prohibits meat consumption on Fridays during Lent and on other holy days. Typically substitute with a fish meal

Are there any diet or food restrictions?

Health Promoting Foods

What foods are used to promote health and why?

-Diet high in protein and fiber for healthy digestive system and increase energy levels

-Popular item typically found in Mexican dishes include avocados that have healthy unsaturated fats that are very good for your heart.

-Capsaicin that is found in the spicy pepper and chilies found in many dishes helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels

Foods Used to Treat Illness

What foods are used to treat illness and why?

• Balance hot/cold and wet/dry
• Herbal teas, esp oregano, cinnamon, eucalyptus and chamomille, and honey for cough/fever.
• Rice water, herbal teas, Suero (water, sugar, lemon/banana) for diarrhea
• Vomiting - clear liquids like rice water, water & sugar, Suero, fruit juice, 7UP, herbal teas.
• Skin rash - cornstarch, alcohol rub or bath, apply substances like water w/ baking soda, lemon, oatmeal powder, or rub w/ watermelon shell
• Minor burns - apply pork lard, cooking oil/butter, raw onions, egg whites, cooked beans

Food Groups / Nutrients that this culture does not typically eat

Are there any food groups/nutrients/food preparation practices (which are known to be important to good health) that members of this culture routinely do not eat?

• Diet low in varieties of vegetables
• Diet low in varieties of fruits