Over 90% participants of cross-cultural training agree that they will be able to apply the knowledge learned in their daily work.

Africa

Cultural beliefs and routines

The balance between the individual and the social environment and between the actions of the individual and their ancestral spirits bring about good health, disease, success and misfortune
Role of the Traditional Healer
- Types of healers include: herbalist, bone setter, psychic healer, traditional birth attendants, faith healer, diviner and spiritualist
- Assumes the role of a physician, counselor, psychiatrist, and priest
- Works with the patient's mind and spirit, believing that many afflictions have spiritual causes and that the mind and spirit need to be in balance before the patient can recover physically
- Describes and explains illness in terms of religion and how the individual interacts with others
- Wards off negative forces of witchcraft and sorcery and helps patients be in equilibrium with other people, the spirits, and ancestors
- Performs ceremonial and religious acts of healing and gives medicines that foster equilibrium
Female and male circumcision practiced in most African countries

Concept of health

Health takes a holistic approach
Health is generally based on the individual's general feeling of well-being, ability to fulfill daily tasks, and freedom from pain and excessive stress
Healing is an act of establishing equilibrium between the individual's mind and body
If the mind is healed, the body heals itself
Healing aims to harmonize patients with their physical, social, and spiritual environment

Causes of illness

Related to African cosmology and the will of God
Psychological conflicts or disturbed social relationships that create disequilibrium in the mind and body
Related to improper diet and sources of water

Traditional remedies and treatment

Fasting, dieting, herbs, baths, massages, and traditional surgical procedures
Use of spiritual rituals to aid in the healing process (dancing, chanting)
Belief that every ailment has a corresponding plant or animal product that neutralizes its effect
- Animal products include skin, hair, dung, bone, meat, and organs of mammals, reptiles, and birds
- Plant products include roots, leaves, and flowers, prepared to be used orally, vaginally, topically, and in a droplet form

Pregnancy and childbirth

Pregnancy is viewed as a "hot" state
Geophagia: ingestion of soil, chalk, or clay during pregnancy
- Considered appetizing and believed to satisfy the cravings of the developing fetus
- Alleviates morning sickness
- Belief that women have worms in their stomach that crave soil. This is based on a perceived symbiotic relationship: earth is believed to be a female's source of fertility and it is therefore thought that eating soil makes the female more fertile
After childbirth, mother rests to restore her strength, eats a special diet, and avoids baths

Female genital mutilation (FGM)

Practiced in 26 out of 53 African countries (examples: Somalia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Nigeria, Egypt, Eritrea, Sudan, and Central African Republic)
Purposes are for religious requirements, cleanliness, preservation of virginity, better marriage prospects, invitation into womanhood, enhance the husband's sexual pleasure, and prevent adultery and promiscuity

Mental health

Mental health is defined by how a person can cope and harmonize with the demands of life and society
Mental illness is generally believed to be caused by spiritual or evil possession, social punishment, and witchcraft
People with mental illness are stigmatized and given little support from their family and community
People with mental illness are generally treated with suspicion