Culture is a system of thoughts and behaviors saved by a group of people. Our cultural background have tremendous impact on our life specially on our health. Culture varies from one local group to another. It and there’s and evolves as well as is valued for itself. Anthropologist have focused on both artistic as well as behavioral dimensions. Culture is the man made part of the environment.
Culture is a well organized Unity divide into the mental aspects a body of artifacts and system of customs. Cultural determinants of health incorporate the cultural aspects that promote to allows a sense of identity and support good mental and Physical health for individuals families and communities. These norms, values, beliefs, customs and practices are shaped, supported and protected through traditional cultural practice at song dance traditional healing etc.
United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous people consider the following cultural determinant elements as very important to shape has culture of the community
- Self determination
- Freedom from discrimination
- Individual and collective rights
- Freedom from assimilation and destruction of culture
- Protection from relocation
- Protection and promotion of traditional knowledge and Indigenous intellectual property of right.
The cultural beliefs of a community shape the health care practices and develop locally believed ideas about illness. Any health intervention for community members must be made sensible in context of local beliefs and practices. Understanding the beliefs and Customs of a community is important to acknowledge and appreciate the differences between group of people. For example how Indian women understand and handle pregnancy and newborn care is entirely different from that of women from Western developed countries. Agriculture has its own customers which influences the disease pattern. It plays important role in the matters of personal hygiene family planning seeking early medical care immunization etc in short it has a strong influence in the way of life of people. Not all customs and beliefs are bad. Some are based on evidences like the rest after childbirth where are some are harmful like female genital mutilation. Cultural determinants of health incorporate the cultural aspects that promote Re silence allow a sense of identity and support good mental and Physical health for individuals families and communities. These norms values beliefs customs and practices are shaped supported and protected through traditional cultural practice at song dance traditional healing etc.
Culture has impact on all the following areas as far as health is concerned with:-
- Concept of Etiology and cure( example considering small pox of goddess Shitala).
- Environment protection and sanitation( belief that let rice are meant for city people where there are no open fields protecting water bodies as a part of religious belief ) .
- Sexuality and family planning
- Food habits
- Mother and child
- Personal hygiene