Royce Redira
12/10/13
HED 6

Russian Health Maintenance
Heavy cigarette use, high alcohol intake, poor dietary intake, little attention to physical fitness, and crowded living conditions have been described. Environmental pollution and poor occupational safety are common and have contributed to the health problems of the population. The major health problems identified included various dental conditions requiring treatment, obesity, and the absence of basic health screening measures such as cholesterol testing, high blood pressure screening, Pap smears, and mammograms. The authors also identified a need for translators and for education regarding preventative self-care, such as breast self-examinations.
The majority of Russian people belong to a church, even if they may in practice not be regular attendees. Of the total Russia-born population in Australia the major religions are: •
Russian Orthodox (27.2%)
•
Jewish (19.5%)
•
Western Catholic (5.6%)
•
19.3% stated ‘No religion’ Remember there can be a difference between nominating a particular religion to practicing that religion in ones’ everyday life (or whether all or some rituals/practices within that religion are observed). Equally, just because a person when young did not practice or observe their religion doesn’t mean as the person ages he/she might now wish to practice.

Health is maintained by food they eat. The essential components of Russian cuisine are those foods that provide the most carbohydrates and fat rather than proteins eg. bread, potatoes, meat, eggs and butter. Fresh fruits and vegetables are rarely used in meals.
Meals
Breakfast
Usually this is a quick meal.
Adults are likely to have an open sandwich with cheese, ham or salami with a cup of tea. Children tend to eat a cooked meal consisting of a boiled egg, omelette or kasha (any cooked grain or cereal served with milk, sugar and butter).
Lunch
This is the main meal of the day and is eaten between 1pm and 3pm. Lunch starts with a small entrée ( zakooska ) eg. salted-herring or salad etc. This is followed by soup often made from a homemade stock. After soup is the main course eg. fish or meatballs. If a meat stew is eaten they tend to have been flavoured using wild mushroom, pickled cucumber or special cream. The main course is served with potatoes, pasta, cereal, salted- cucumbers and always served with bread.
Lunch is finished with either coffee, tea, compot (stewed fruit) or fruit juice.
Afternoon tea
Desserts or pastries are very popular and particularly enjoyed at this time. Tea or milk follows.
Dinner (or supper)
This meal is eaten with the family around the table. Soup can be served again and the main course might be vegetables like potato cakes with mushroom sauce or cottage cheese.

HEALTH

Trauma situations
World War II is a subject that needs to be handled with tact. It should not be forgotten that Russia-born aged persons have lived through a very traumatic time arising from not just the war experience but also the years post-war when times were very tough. It is likely that many families were split up and dislocated to areas thought safer than large towns.
Perception of health professionals Russian people believe in the unlimited power of drugs and other forms of therapy. The high status of the patient influences not only the patient-family relationship, but also the patient/doctor relationship and hospital care.
The patient expects therefore to be listened to, not only when he/she discloses the symptoms, but also when he/she states own ideas about the nature of his/her complaints, its origins and treatments.
Russian persons want to know all about their disease/illness, what caused it, how long it is going to last, what is to be the outcome – and they also expect all this information will be provided in way they are able to understand. They often see food and stress as frequent causes of any illness. Complementary medicine is also seen to have an integral role in the health of
Russia-born persons, often alongside western medicine. It is not uncommon for the person to seek medical advice and medication and then go seek help from a health practitioner eg. Herbalist, naturopaths, homeopath or acupuncture and undertake a remedial exercise program. It should be noted that whilst respectful of their professional status, the person will question the doctor freely eg asking about drug side effects, the implication of the illness on their particular lifestyle etc.
This may mean YOU shouldn’t perceive a Russian person who questions a doctor or health profes- sional as being difficult. Nor should you consider the person as ‘being difficult’ should he/she want a second opinion or to access complementary medicines of some type.
Attitudes to illness and pain
Russian persons are often stoic about pain and loath seeing a doctor too quickly - trying to cope with it for as long as possible mostly by ignoring it. The person generally won’t talk about it unless a close friend or family member mentions any changes they have noticed.
Generally Russians have a strong tendency for self-diagnosis, using medical books and natural treatments (herbs etc.).
Going to health professionals is usual and
Russia-born persons are used to the medical hierarchy (i.e. General practi- tioners for overall health with referral to
Specialist as needed for more in-depth treatment). Russia’s health care system is characterised by large outpatient facilities called “polyclinics”, where general physicians (called a therapist) and various specialists are employed. These persons are viewed as professionals and are treated respectfully by the patient.
Preventive medicine and wellness programs were virtually nonexistent in
Russia, as are programs to educate the public about personal sanitation, proper diet, and vitamins etc. The average Russian person doesn’t consume a balanced diet.
Vegetables often were scare in Russia, except in rural areas, where home-grown, and fruit has never constituted an important element of the Russian diet.
The concept of self-help (eg exercises, rehabilitation programs) is also strong in the Russian psyche. DEATH

Palliative Care
The concept of a hospice and palliative care was not known in Russia. Care of the terminally ill has been a family responsi- bility, and in some cases there can be some opposition to the perceived ‘intrusion’ by outsiders. It is likely that Russia-born elderly persons will be unaware that such services exist or what it entails. If the person does know something about palliative care he/she has learnt this whist resident in Australia.
Death
The deceased is bathed and dressed in the clothes he/she has usually chosen before death and these instructions were given to a family member.
Cremation is rare, according to the individual’s religious beliefs. An Orthodox priest will conduct the burial. In general relatives wear black clothing on the day of the burial, with the spouse choosing to wear black for up to 1 year (the year of
burial).