Cultural Healthcare Practices of Hispanic Women During Pregnancy and Birth

The United States is comprised of many cultures within a culture. America is composed of a variety of people who all have different beliefs and traditions, as well as their own unique set of beliefs regarding their healthcare practices. One such group is the Hispanic Americans who have their own very diverse cultural group. As individuals, they are just like anybody else in any other culture. However, it is worthwhile for a nurse caring for someone from this culture to know what their distinct cultural beliefs are. People belonging to a Hispanic cultural group are highly attached to the beliefs and values of their culture and follow them in every aspect of their life (Gallo, 2003). Interestingly, their cultural beliefs even influence the decisions related to their healthcare. Hence, this is the reason why in order to meet their patient’s cultural needs, it’s important for people working in the nursing profession to understand the cultural values, traditions and practices related to the aspect of health and medical care during life transitions. The viewpoint of the Hispanic cultures healthcare practices will be presented through the lens of the Giger and Davidhizar Transcultural Assessment Model, in order to define a deeper understanding of their beliefs.
Giger and Davidhizar’s Transcultural Assessment Model
According to Giger and Davidhizar’s Transcultural Assessment Model (GDTAM) (1999), “culture guides our thinking, doing, and being and becomes patterned expressions of who we are, and is passed down from generation to generation” (p.3). GDTAM is a very broad and in depth model, and provides nursing students with an understanding about the important role in which the knowledge of culture plays in the nursing profession (Giger & Davidhizar, 1999). The five metaparadigms of the GDTAM are “culturally diverse nursing care, culturally competent care, culturally unique individuals, culturally sensitive environment and health and health status based on culturally

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