Cultural competence is more than just a buzzword; it’s the essential skill of understanding, appreciating, and effectively interacting with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. But why is this so crucial for public health practitioners? Simply put, cultural competence ensures that health initiatives are not only respectful and relevant but also finely tuned to the unique needs of every community, paving the way for better health outcomes and greater social equity.
My personal journey with cultural competence began decades ago during my Peace Corps service in Ghana from 1982 to 1984 working to establish rural health clinics. Living in a small village, I witnessed firsthand how deeply culture influences health beliefs and practices. Once, suffering from stomach cramps, I was visited by a local woman who sat by my window for hours until I felt better. At the time, my American perspective saw this as intrusive, but over time, I realized that this was a profound expression of cultural care and solidarity. This experience was a powerful lesson in cultural humility and the significance of community support in health.
Fast forward to today, where the Public Health in Ghana program offered by the MSU Master of Public Health (MPH) Program continues to bring this lesson to life for students. This three-week immersive study abroad experience offers graduate and undergraduate students a unique chance to dive into another culture, enhancing their cultural competence and public health skills far away from home.
Co-led by me and MPH Associate Director Darline El Reda, this year’s 2024 cohort had the exceptional opportunity to collaborate with the Fred N. Binka School of Public Health at the University of Health & Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Hohoe. Our mission? To implement a menstrual health and hygiene intervention. By immersing themselves in the local culture, conducting qualitative research, and working with both MSU and UHAS mentors, the students gained valuable insights.
They discovered that many of the school’s students were devout Muslims and Christians, and a major concern regarding adoption of the menstrual cup was the fear that it could break the hymen—a misconception, as a broken hymen does not indicate sexual activity. Through in-depth focus groups and interviews, students learned about other cultural factors influencing menstrual hygiene practices, such as the belief that menstruating women should not cook and the stigma girls face at school, which often keeps them home during their monthly periods.
Feedback from students underscores the transformative impact of this experience:
- “Our time in Ghana has deeply shaped our understanding of how culture influences public health interventions, highlighting the need for culturally tailored strategies.”
- “This immersion showed us the immense value of working directly with local public health practitioners to gain a nuanced understanding of the community’s needs.”
- “We applied classroom learning in real-world settings, engaging in research, analyzing data, and navigating the Institutional Review Board (IRB) process, which has been instrumental in our development as public health professionals.”
As the U.S. becomes increasingly diverse, with non-Hispanic whites projected to become a minority by 2045, the importance of cultural competence cannot be overstated. Students have recognized that insights gained from observing social determinants of health in Ghana are not only applicable internationally but are also crucial for addressing health disparities in diverse populations within the U.S.
The skills developed through these global experiences are invaluable tools for crafting culturally relevant public health messages and interventions, enhancing equity both abroad and at home.
Connie Currier, DrPH, MPH is an associate professor in the Michigan State University Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, College of Human Medicine. She coordinates international practicum experiences for Master of Public Health students and co-leads a study abroad program in Ghana. Dr. Currier has lived and worked extensively in Africa and has developed and taught many MPH courses.
MPH student Andrew Davis on his experience in Ghana: Making Long-Lasting Memories in Ghana
August 20, 2024
