EDITORIAL

Tu Tangata, Issue 5, 1 April 1982, Page 26

EDITORIAL

The introduction of Maori values into the health care system is more than a step in the right direction, it is a vital necessity.

A recent conference of public health nurses in Wellington wanted to know more about cultural differences between Maori and Pakeha with specific reference to health matters.

Two Maori women talked with the nurses and explained that to the Maori, health was just a part of the wider social life of the social life of the community. He wasn’t told to eat this or that, and such things as dieting and sex education were unknown to the rural Maori.

Similarly sex education wasn’t taught as a set subject but was observed as part of the rural environment. Such observances for women as not gathering seafood or working in the garden during menstruation had religious as well as health reasons.

To the nurses at the conference, this attitude was difficult to understand and they wanted to know how many of the traditional beliefs still exist amongst Maoris.

It was explained that for the Maori, the ritual of hygiene meant that the body never mixed with food preparation. It was just plain common sense that the washing of tea-towels with underclothes wasn’t done. In terms of good hygiene it’s obvious. Questions were asked how sex education was taught to young people.

“By observation, at certain times we would see Mum not going into the garden as usual or going to collect kaimoana (seafood). And you would pick up woman talk, the personal aspect.”

From the previous comments its obvious health authorities need to be aware of differing values between Maoris and Europeans.

For nurses visiting Maori homes or trying to make contact with Maori families it’s important that the awareness is there.

For example because of the importance placed on no contact between the body and preparation of food, one wouldn’t weigh a baby on the kitchen table or wash hands in the kitchen sink.

For some people working in health care, it may have already come to their attention that they have offended in some way when making such a home visit. For this reason it’s also important that Maoris let public nurses and other such visitors know if they unknowingly offend against this code of hygiene.

What’s needed is awareness on all sides of cultural differences. After ail the health care is there for all people to share so the community can look after itself and grow.