Difference In Hispanic/Latino Culture

Culture refers to behavior, attitude, inherited ideas, beliefs, values, and knowledge transmitted and reinforced by members of a group. We live in a culturally diverse society. Purnell (2013) described cultural competence as having the knowledge and skills to deliver care that harmonizes the client’s cultural beliefs and practices (Blais & Hayes, 2016). As healthcare professionals, it is difficult to know and understand in depth the culture of every nationality we come into contact with while performing our duties. However, having an awareness of the cultural belief system that is prevalent in the community or region we practice will make a lot of difference in the service we render. The Hispanic/Latino population represents about 70% of the
406). The Hispanic’s believe when someone has a hot illness they require a cold treatment and vice versa, thus bringing the individual back into balance. Hot illness is characterized by high metabolic rate and vasodilation (Juckett, 2013). Examples of hot illness will be pneumonia, pregnancy, cancer, menstrual cramps, and stomach ulcer. All these will require cold treatment. Someone with stomach ulcer will require eating cold food or bland diet according to this culture. Cold illness, on the other hand, is characterized by low metabolic rate and vasoconstriction (Juckett, 2013). This includes conditions like GERD, peptic ulcer, and diabetes mellitus, and are treated with cold remedies. They believe in folk illnesses, in which they associate health problems with members of a particular group. A large percentage of the population including those with the traditional background will consult a physician as their primary source for care, while others may consult a folk healer referred to as curandero or use home remedies. Hispanic folk medicine to a large extent focuses on herbal therapies. It is therefore not uncommon to see a sick person using all these alternate means of healing along with prescription medications from MD. Regardless of the mode of healing adopted, faith in God is a vital component used in understanding the
The family structure tends to be patriarchal and it follows a strict hierarchical structure (Medina, n.d.). They believe in extended family structure, which is not limited to father, mother, and children, but inclusive of aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, close friends and neighbors. The entire family members call on each other for support as needed. They believe problems should be solved as a family not alone, hence the entire family jointly make decisions on matters that are of utmost importance. The eldest male acts as the authority figure. Children are brought up to respect their parents and older adults, and to be obedient. Latino females are expected to show respect and even submission to their husbands, and be dedicated, loving and supportive wives and