Australian South Sea Islanders

• Home
• Introduction
• Defining Cultures
  • The Impact of Culture
  • Modesty
  • Flexibility
  • Excellent Health Care
  • Talking Culture
  • Description
  • Generalisations
  • Setting Limitations
  • Benefits
  • Culture Clash
  • Outcomes
• Building Relationships
  • Visiting a Family
  • Combination
  • Culture
  • Birth Ritual
  • Differences
  • Listening
• Sensitive Solutions
  • Culture
  • Respect and Death
  • Food and Culture
  • Food and Feasts
  • Knowing Questions
  • Overcoming
  • Health Care
  • Enriching Community
  • Final Story
  • Positive Charge
• Facilitators

Australian South Sea Islanders

Modesty and sexual health

David is a community nurse in a coastal Queensland town. David is visiting Louise, an Australian South Sea Islander elder.

In this story, David encounters many levels of communication, belief and meaning.

After reading his story, you'll get a chance to find out more information about the various ways culture influences this story.

This story in no way intends to categorise the cultural patterns or sensitivities of all Australian South Sea Islanders.

David's story

Auntie Lou called me out to the house.

We chatted for a while, as usual, about all kinds of things. But I wasn't really sure why I was there.

After a while, she turned the conversation to the topic of a mutual friend, whom we both knew had recently battled with breast cancer. There was nervousness in her manner. I talked with her about her friend for a while. I knew there was something she wanted to tell me, but I didn't know exactly what it was.

I guessed from her manner and her conversation topic that it had something to do with sexual health. I asked her if there was any problem that she wanted to talk about, but she said 'No!'

Most of my patients hate talking about sexual health, but I think it was particularly difficult for Auntie Lou. She looked really uncomfortable. Again, I asked her if there was anything I could do to help her, but Auntie Lou wouldn't give me any more information.

I wondered what I could do to help her. We had been talking for over an hour and I had another appointment to go to. I knew I couldn't directly help her with her problem … she would, sooner or later, have to go to the sexual health clinic.

What cultural influences are at work in this story? For more information click here.

Think about...

Think about this scenario. If you were the community health nurse, how would you help Louise? Imagine you have funds, time and services at your disposal.

On a piece of paper, write down some ideas about how you would approach this situation. Keep the piece of paper handy, as you will be referring to it later.

When you're ready, the flexibility page offers some further advice.