Understanding Somali Culture and Health: Building Bridges in Healthcare Delivery
Mohamed Ibrahim, MBBS
Minnesota's Somali population (82,436 residents)
Objectives:
  • Deepen understanding of Somali culture
  • Explore healthcare challenges for Somali patients
  • Provide practical, culturally sensitive recommendations
Part 1: Overview of Somali Culture
Family Structure
  • Family-centered vs. individual-centered decision making
  • Extended family involvement in healthcare
  • Respect for elders and their role in decisions
  • Collective approach to health and wellness
Religious Influence (Islam)
  • Key Islamic practices affecting healthcare (prayer times, Ramadan fasting, dietary restrictions)
  • Modesty requirements and implications for care
  • Preference for same-gender providers
  • Religious perspectives on illness and healing
Health Beliefs and Traditional Practices
  • Holistic view of health (physical, spiritual, social)
  • Common traditional healing practices
  • Different concepts of prevention and wellness
  • Potential for concurrent use of traditional and Western medicine
Part 2: The Somali Health Care Journey
1
Experiences in Somalia and Refugee Camps
  • Brief historical context of Somali civil war and displacement
  • Healthcare conditions in Somalia during conflict
  • Refugee camp healthcare experiences
  • Prevalence of trauma and its ongoing health impacts
2
Transition to the U.S. Healthcare System
  • Contrasts between Somali and U.S. healthcare systems
  • Navigation challenges (insurance, appointments, referrals)
  • Cultural shock and its health impacts
  • Family role changes and their effects on healthcare interactions
Part 3: Current Challenges in the U.S. Healthcare System
Physical Health
  • Priority physical health conditions in Somali population
  • Chronic disease management challenges
  • Maternal health considerations
  • Barriers to preventative care utilization
Dental Health
  • Traditional Somali oral hygiene practices
  • Access barriers to dental care
  • Unfamiliarity with preventative dental model
  • Strategies for improving dental care utilization
Mental Health
  • Cultural concepts of mental health and illness
  • Language differences in describing mental health
  • Impact of trauma and social isolation
  • Strategies for culturally responsive mental health care
Part 4: Communication and Systemic Barriers

Language
Language statistics, medical terminology translation, professional interpreters vs. family members
Limited Health Literacy
Components beyond language, factors affecting health literacy, manifestations, improvement strategies
Gender Dynamics in Care Settings
Traditional roles, modesty considerations, communication patterns, respecting preferences
Part 5: Recommendations for Providers
Use of Interpreters and Community Health Workers
  • Best practices for working with interpreters
  • When and how to access interpretation services
  • Role of Community Health Workers
  • Resources for connecting with Somali CHWs in WellShare International
Building Trust Through Relationship-Based Care
  • Importance of relationship before transaction
  • Practical trust-building strategies
  • Addressing historical mistrust
  • Benefits of continuity of care
Religious and Modesty Considerations
  • Prayer accommodations in healthcare settings
  • Practical approaches to maintaining modesty
  • Dietary considerations
  • Balancing religious needs with medical necessities
Culturally Adapted Mental Health Strategies
  • Adapting mental health language and concepts
  • Strategies for addressing stigma
  • Integrated care approaches
  • Family and community involvement
  • Trauma-informed care principles
Real-Life Story
Brief outline of the story
A real-world example demonstrating cultural misunderstandings in healthcare delivery and how they were resolved through cultural sensitivity.
Key misunderstanding: medication use only until symptoms resolve
Exploring how different cultural perspectives on medication adherence led to treatment challenges.
Role of traditional remedies
How traditional Somali healing practices were incorporated alongside Western medical treatment.
Importance of cultural brokers in resolving misunderstandings
Demonstrating how cultural brokers helped bridge communication gaps and build trust between providers and patients.
Thank You
We appreciate your commitment to improving healthcare for Somali patients. Your efforts will build stronger bridges and better outcomes.
Questions?