Cultural Health Barriers and Risks Among the Kazakhs Culture Group in Mongolia

Cultural Health Barriers and Risks Among the Kazakhs Culture Group in Mongolia
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Cultural Health Barriers and Risks Among the Kazakhs Culture Group in Mongolia
Several cultural health barriers and risks are impacting the Kazakh culture group living in Mongolia. Understanding these cultural health barriers, prevention methods, and possible remedies is essential to promote better-being among this population. This paper provides an overview of cultural health barriers faced by Kazakhs in Mongolia. It discusses the population's beliefs about health care services, various cultural coping mechanisms for dealing with illnesses or pain, and how this may affect their lifestyle choices. It also describes the limitations of available healthcare services in Mongolia accessible to members of this culture group. Finally, it discusses some potential solutions for improving access to healthcare for Kazakhs living in Mongolia.
Analysis of the Cultural Health Barriers and Risks Among the Kazakhs
The Kazakhs are among the most populous ethnic groups in Central Asia, with close to 20 million people living in Kazakhstan and hundreds of thousands living throughout other countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and China. The Kazakh culture group comprises three distinct subgroups: Traditional nomadic Kirghiz, Buryats, and Kazakhs. Each group has a different language and traditions, but every group shares a shared history. Traditionally, the Kazakhs were nomadic herders who moved their herds to different Kazakhstan and other countries. The Kazakhs prided themselves on their mobility, physically demanding lifestyle, and fierce independence (Aubakirova et al., 2016).
Nomadic life is known to be very difficult for humans. It places an immense strain on the body due to daily travel, lack of shelter and food resources, among other things. Nomads are also exposed to many dangers such as wild animals, dust storms, cold temperatures, and high altitudes during the winter months. Additionally, traditionally nomadic people engage in activities such as hunting, herding camels for milk, and tending flocks of sheep without any significant medical risk aside from dehydration or starvation. However, the Kazakhs were increasingly connected to the outside world following the Soviet rule of Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries (Aubakirova et al., 2016). The Kazakhs started to engage in other economic activities such as farming, increasing exposure to infectious diseases, and poor environmental conditions.
The transition to a sedentary lifestyle and modern healthcare also created new health concerns among the Kazakhs. Current healthcare practices such as vaccinations, childhood illnesses, and alternative medicine can inconvenience nomadic nomads who prefer traditional healing methods. Traditional Kazakh healers advocate holistic healing practices that do not include Western medicine even when necessary (Fang & Stewart, 2018). For example, Kazakh nomads may choose to treat common ailments such as chronic diseases or injuries with traditional techniques rather than conventional Western medicine even when it is available.
The Kazakhs are the largest of the three ethnic groups in Kazakhstan. They are also one of the most culturally conservative groups in Central Asia. The traditional nomadic lifestyle and cultural conservatism have led them to be less engaged in modern medical practices than other groups (Zhanbossinova et al., 2019). Additionally, their historical dynamic has led them into a situation that no longer supports their traditional lifestyle, causing them to be more susceptible to disease, health risks, and social issues than other groups living in Kazakhstan. The prevalence of infectious disease among Kazakhs is higher than average in comparison to other ethnic groups. The majority of contagious diseases among Kazakhs are chronic and occur more frequently than in many developed countries.
Health Concerns Among the Kazakhs Culture Group in Mongolia
When looking at the critical health concerns faced by members of this culture group living in Mongolia, the primary focus shifts away from traditional practices and modern medical procedures that can create health risks for conventional and contemporary nomads. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure, respiratory problems, cancer, and digestive issues are some of the most commonly reported chronic diseases among members of this group (Craig et al., 2019).
In addition to chronic diseases, members of this culture group are also at a higher risk for some infectious diseases. Tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C, HIV infection, and bacterial infections are more prevalent among Kazakhs living in Mongolia. In addition to these common infectious diseases, diseases such as measles and mumps may spread among the population (Fang & Stewart, 2018). Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause harm to others, including infants who may be at a higher risk of developing diarrhea. In contrast, infants who have been vaccinated against measles are protected from illness. The mumps outbreak in Mongolia co-occurred as the historic 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa confused Kazakhs living in Mongolia during this epidemic.
The Kazakhs have also been exposed to other diseases that have been introduced into Mongolia from different parts of the world. Examples of this include tuberculosis, measles, and the herpes simplex virus. Although these diseases are much less common among Kazakhs living in Mongolia than a larger population, they still pose a significant threat to those who do not seek proper treatment (Fang & Stewart, 2018). Many Kazakh members of this culture group do not seek healthcare due to cultural beliefs or resources. In addition to receiving less healthcare, they are also at an increased risk because they may lack access to vaccinations for common illnesses such as mumps, measles, and tuberculosis that can affect infants and children during outbreaks.
There are also specific practices among Kazakhs that may increase their risk for developing certain diseases and injuries. For example, the tradition of livestock herding is common among this group. This tradition can cause serious health risks such as suffocation for those who use an enclosed space to herd livestock like a yurt. The lack of ventilation and poor air quality can lead to illness or death in livestock handlers if their lungs become overwhelmed with excess carbon dioxide and other harmful gases (Craig & Kapysheva, 2017). Additionally, the tradition of wrestling among the Kazakhs can cause serious injuries such as broken bones and joint damage due to repeated physical contact during competitions between herders and younger community members. These practices pose a serious risk to the health of young Kazakhs that engage in these activities.
The lack of access to healthcare for this population also puts them at increased risk for certain illnesses and diseases. The Kazakhs are one of the largest populations in Mongolia following their migration throughout Central Asia (Zhanbossinova et al., 2019). Their large population size, lack of access to Western medical care, limited social support networks, and traditional practices can lead to serious health risks for members of this community. For example, suppose members of this group do not seek proper healthcare. In that case, their ailments may become exacerbated because they miss critical medical appointments or treatment due to cultural taboos against seeking Western medical care.
Many Kazakhs do not seek proper medical treatment due to their cultural belief that illness comes from spirits or witchcraft, leading to serious health problems among the population (Zhanbossinova et al., 2019). As a result of this belief, some Kazakhs may choose to ignore symptoms of specific issues such as chronic diseases or injuries and avoid seeking treatment for their ailments by using traditional herbal remedies and medicinal plants. Herbal remedies and medicinal plants can be beneficial when used properly but pose health risks if misused. If misused, they can cause harm to the patient and others around them.
The Limitations of Available Healthcare Service...