The Navajo Indians Mind, body and spirit are the foundation of the Navajo community. The Navajo culture is known to be very primitive and reserved. This could cause some complications in the health care field. Their basic lifestyle may lead to several health complications, belief in prayer and evil spirits is prominent, they believe that the role of a physician is to be a partner in their healing, there are several nursing practices that need to be considered when caring for a Navajo patient, and as a nurse it is important to treat these people with respect even if their ways may seems unorthodox.
The traditional Navajo Indians have a very primitive lifestyle. This means that they don’t necessarily have the best living conditions and don’t always maintain the best nutritional status. They are known for living off of the land and providing what they can for one another. Poor living conditions and lack of proper nutrition can lead to a multitude of health issues. Traditional Navajo homes are made of timber and mud. They usually heat their homes by fire. During winter or cold weather, the Navajos are at risk for hypothermia. Their diet consists of wild game, goats, wild berries, and other vegetables they grow themselves. So, again, during the wintertime, they may not be able to grow enough food to maintain adequate nutrition. This can result in vitamin, electrolyte, and other deficiencies within their community. One deficiency found in the Navajo culture is that of vitamin D. They don’t consume much dairy, if any at all. Vitamin D deficiency results in poor bone mineralization and skeletal deformities. As a nurse the need to explain to them ways to integrate vitamin D into their diets without offending their culture is important. Another characteristic of the Navajo tribe is the lack of electricity or proper food storage. If their food is not preserved well it can harbor bacteria that the community could ingest, cause several health risks. Also, without proper storage, other animals or rodents may get into food supplies and spread diseases. A nurse's job would be to explain ways to make sure they find proper storage for food so disease is not transmitted throughout the community. (Purnell, 2009).
Navajo cultures are firm believers in evil spirits. They begin their days with meditation and prayer. They believe that their spirituality is directly linked to their health. “Illness results from not being in harmony with nature, from the spirits of evil people such as witches, or from violation of taboos” (Purnell, 2009). Healing ceremonies will be held to bring balance back to the patient’s physical and spiritual wellness. A nurse or health care provider may be responsible with assembling a team to perform the healing ceremony. The Navajo patient may also ask those in the health care team to participate in prayer along with them if the nurse is comfortable with that.
The Navajos wish to believe that they are partners with physicians and the health care team. The Navajo Indians believe in the idea o hozho and nayee. “Through hozho, the healer offers the patient hope, by emphasizing the positive, the beauty in life. With the concept of nayee, the Navajo are able to objectify and to externalize an illness” (Schneider, 2003). The Navajo community seeks to grasp onto hope and positivity. A health care provider should honor that by emphasizing positivity while caring for them. Pain is something meant to be hidden or handled by the patient. Often times they are not willing to let the nurse or physician know when they are in pain. This makes pain management difficult to monitor within these patients. (Purnell, 2009). Nurses and other health care need to work together with patients in the Navajo community. Often times they have to travel long distances to get to health care facilities. That would mean they would only come if there were a emergency. It is important to provide as much care as possible in the time they are there. Making sure the patient is up to date on immunizations during their visit is crucial because they are not likely to come back for a follow up visit (Purnell, 2009). There are many things to consider while providing medical care and communicating to those of the Navajo culture. It is considered rude to speak loudly or use a harsh tone when speaking with them. These people are very dependent on and trust those of their own culture. Any other “outsider” (such as a physician, nurse, etc.) will have to work hard to build a trusting relationship with a Navajo patient. Once a trusting relationship is built, they will be more willing to share their feeling or concerns with their health. Also, even if the nurse is familiar with the Navajo language, it is best to use an interpreter. Any slight deviation from their dialect can change the meaning of what is trying to be said. In their language “minor variations in pronunciation may change the entire meaning of a word or phrase” (Purnell, 2009). It is important that if you must touch the Navajo patient, you make sure they will allow it. Touch within this culture is considered special. You do not touch them unless you are very close to them and know them on a personal level. Personal space is considered very important. One last thing the Navajos believe in very strongly is that the body of the deceased be buried whole. With that being said, they are against organ donation and autopsy. If an autopsy is required, it is the responsibility of the nurse or health care provider to explain the importance of the autopsy. Any culture that is not your own may be difficult to understand. When caring for a patient who leads a different way of life than yourself, it is important to be considerate of their beliefs and concerns. As a nurse it is important that you treat every individual with respect in regards to their cultural beliefs. In the 21st century, modern society, it may be difficult to accept the Navajo’s traditional way of life. Their primitive nature may cause health problems that most nurses would laugh at because they are so easily to prevent in this day and age. Some people may believe in letting the nurse or physician know when they are in pains so that they can be treated. It is important that the nurse providing care for a Navajo patient knows and respects that fact that it is not normal in their culture to express pain. A nurse should never judge or criticize a Navajo for their beliefs in prayer, the importance of spirituality, or the connection of their spirituality and health (Purnell, 2009). In conclusion, health care in the Navajo culture consists of more than just modern medicine. Most of the people within this culture are willing to accept treatment through modern medicine. The importance of proper housing and nourishment is often overlooked in the Navajo community. They have many beliefs of evil spirits and the balance of their spiritual lives with their health. They prefer to see the silver lining in every situation and find it offensive when you don’t respect that. The Navajos have many different beliefs when it comes to the relationship between health care providers and them as a patient. It is important to respect the wishes and cultural beliefs of this community while they are being treated. Reference Page
Carey, H. (2016). Navajo People - The Diné - Information about the Navajo People, Language, History, and Culture. - Navajo Indians. Navajopeople.org. Retrieved 30 January 2016, from http://navajopeople.org
Purnell, L. D. (2009). Guide to Culturally Competent Health Care. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company.
Schneider, G. W., & Dehaven, M. J. (2003, Summer). Revisiting the Navajo way: lessons far contemporary healing. Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 46(3), 413+.