A review of literature, 2006 ( pdf - 438 KB) - ARCHI

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Macedonian Women’s Health Project Review of literature ___________________________________________________________________ Exposure to violence Violence and abuse has profound effects on both physical and emotional health of women (Lee 2001). There does not appear to be any previous research specifically in the area of domestic violence and Macedonian women in south eastern Sydney. A study in 2001 involving 850 women in Macedonia found that 61.5% of women had been exposed to psychological violence, 23.9% to physical violence and 5% to sexual violence (Copic 2004). A combination of stress and frustration resulting from war, and the strong impact of patriarchy and traditional gender role socialisation provide fertile ground for violence against women in Macedonia. War and violence may also become a model of conflict resolution in the family (Copic 2004). In consultations with various workers in the Macedonian community in the St George region, the issue of violence against women was raised as an important issue concerning Macedonian women. The Macedonian Australian Welfare Association documented an increased load of complex casework associated with domestic violence in the recent Annual Report of the St George Migrant Resource Centre (St George Migrant Resource Centre 2004). The situation for women who are newly arrived from Macedonia on the spouse visa and who experience domestic violence issues is very complicated. These women are often very isolated because they may have limited family and few friends in Australia. Many of these women may not be permitted by their partners to attend English classes. This adversely effects their employment prospects and adds to their isolation. Due to the two year waiting period for residency these women are also ineligible for some services. Consequently they may have to rely on their partner for income and financial abuse may also occur (Macedonian Australian Welfare Association 2004). - 21 -
Macedonian Women’s Health Project Review of literature ___________________________________________________________________ Behavioural influences Lifestyle factors such as nutrition, physical activity and use of alcohol and other drugs have a strong influence on the risk of disease, particularly cardiovascular disease and cancer. Some of these behaviours are also linked to social and economic factors discussed in the previous section. Nutrition A healthy diet is increasingly considered to make an important contribution to health and wellbeing. Over the last few decades, a growing body of evidence has linked food consumption patterns with the risk of a number of lifestyle diseases (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2004). Although no information was located on the nutritional status of Macedonian women in Australia, it could be expected that their diet would combine some elements of traditional Macedonian cuisine with contemporary Australian eating patterns. A report on the nutritional intakes in Macedonia over the last 30 years (World Health Organisation 2002) documented consumption of fruit, vegetables and dairy products below recommended levels. There were also some micronutrient deficiencies observed including anaemia and vitamin A and iodine deficiencies. Over the period monitored, rates of nutritionally related diseases in Macedonia such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers have increased substantially – increasingly mirroring the morbidity and mortality patterns in other developed countries around the world. Physical activity Physical activity is an important factor in maintaining good health (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2004) and a particularly important aspect of cardiovascular disease prevention (Eyler et al 2003). Maintaining regular physical activity assists in improvement of cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, being overweight, low levels of HDL (the ‘good’ cholesterol) and can help reduce the risk of some types of cancer. Other benefits are a reduction of osteoporosis, reduction of stress, anxiety and depression (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2004). One report examining the inequalities in risk factors and cardiovascular mortality among Australia’s immigrants found that women from southern European countries (ie the former Yugoslavia, Italy, Malta and Greece) had higher than average body mass index and extremely high levels of sedentariness (Bennett 1993). A study documenting levels of physical activity among Macedonian women in Newcastle in 1997 found their activity levels well below the national recommendations of thirty minutes a day of moderate level activity. Of the 33 women who volunteered to participate in a heart health program, 76 percent reported having done no vigorous exercise and 40 per cent reported that they had not exercised at all during the previous six months (Brown et al 1997). In comparison, in the National Physical Activity Survey in 2000, 13 percent of Australian women reported doing no physical activity during the previous week (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare - 22 -
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A review of literature, 2006 ( pdf - 438 KB) - ARCHI

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