NURS2018: BUILDING HEALTH
COMMUNITIES THROUGH IMPACTFUL
PARTNERSHIPS
Assessment 1 Template: Foundation of Community Health Promotion project
Overall word count excluding the template wording (63 words) and reference list:
Introduction to health issue:
The case study, increase breast screening in Muslim women living in Broadmeadows,
Melbourne, focuses on addressing the low participation rates in breast cancer screening among
Muslim women aged 50 to 74 years. Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer diagnoses
and second most common cause of cancer-related death in Australian women (AIHW, 2024).
Routine breast screening is crucial for women aged 50 to 74, as early detection through
mammography significantly improves treatment outcomes and reduces mortality rates (AIHW,
2024; Coleman, 2017). Despite this, Muslim women in Broadmeadows, Melbourne, exhibit lower
participation rates due to socio-economic barriers, language limitations, modesty-related
concerns, and limited health literacy (McLaren et al., 2024). Cultural values emphasising modesty
can discourage many from undergoing screenings that involve physical exams (Moey et al., 2022).
Without timely screening, breast cancer may be diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to
invasive treatments, poorer survival rates, and higher mortality (Smith et al., 2019). Additionally,
families may face emotional, financial, and psychological burdens exacerbated by advanced-stage
treatment (Zagloul et al., 2024). Low health literacy and culturally insensitive health service
further hinder awareness and engagement in preventive care. Failure to close this health gap
could increase disparities between Muslim women and the broader population, reducing their
trust in the healthcare system and willingness to seek preventive services (McLaren et al., 2024). If
health inequalities in the Muslim community persist, the gap in health outcomes between Muslim
women and others could widen. This could create a cycle of poor health, where people are less
likely to seek preventive care and lose trust in the healthcare system.
Principles of Partnerships:
The two key principles for this case study are Personalised and Holistic Care and Equity
and Inclusion. Personalised and Holistic Care emphasises addressing the specific cultural, religious,
and individual needs of Muslim women in Broadmeadows, Melbourne by tailoring care to their
preferences, such as ensuring privacy, modesty, and access to female healthcare providers
(Tackett et al., 2018; Moey et al., 2022). This principle fosters a culturally sensitive environment
that respects the values of the community, encouraging active participation in breast screening.
Collaborative efforts, such as engaging community leaders and religious figures, help co-design
culturally appropriate services, increasing their relevance and effectiveness (Wilson et al., 2022).
Equity and Inclusion focus on eliminating disparities and ensuring fair access to healthcare
for marginalised groups. In Broadmeadows, where socio-economic challenges and low health
literacy hinder access to preventive services, this principle is crucial for bridging the gap (Wilson et
al., 2022). Through partnerships with community organisations, local mosques, and health
services, interventions can be tailored to address cultural barriers, language limitations, and
transportation needs. For example, providing mobile screening units, interpreter services, and
culturally sensitive outreach ensures all women have equal opportunities to access care (Moey et
al., 2022). By integrating community input and addressing structural barriers, these partnerships
foster sustainable improvements in health outcomes and participation in preventive care.
Primary Health Care Principles:
Health promotion and accessibility are two key primary health care principles for this case
study, aimed at improving breast screening participation among Muslim women in
Broadmeadows. Health promotion focuses on education and preventive measures to empower
communities and facilitate informed health choices (WHO, 2022). Many Muslim women face
barriers such as modesty concerns and a lack of culturally relevant information about breast
screening. Collaborating with female community leaders to co-design educational workshops
ensures that the program aligns with their cultural and religious values (Christie-de Jong et
al.,2022). These workshops address misconceptions and promote early detection by fostering
community engagement in a respectful and inclusive manner (Padela et al., 2018).
Accessibility focuses on making healthcare physically, culturally, and economically
available to everyone, ensuring fair access to services (WHO, 2023). Mobile screening units
stationed at mosques and community centres reduce transportation barriers and foster trust by
offering services within familiar and safe environments (Christie-de Jong et al., 2022). Female
radiographers and multilingual health navigators provide personalised, culturally appropriate
care, ensuring communication is clear and comfortable for participants (Padela et al., 2018).
Together, health promotion and accessibility create an integrated approach to overcoming
cultural, logistical, and financial obstacles, enhancing breast screening participation and
promoting equitable health outcomes for the Muslim community.
Cultural safety principles:
The cultural safety principle of “Talking, Asking and Engaging” is essential for enhancing
breast screening participation among Muslim women in Broadmeadows, Melbourne, by ensuring
culturally respectful and effective communication. Wilson et al. (2022) emphasise that creating
culturally safe environments involves recognising biases and developing meaningful partnerships
through open conversation. In this case, engaging with local leaders and community members can
help understand the community’s values, preferences, and barriers, such as modesty concerns
and privacy (Padela et al., 2018). For example, healthcare providers can collaborate with female
community leaders to organise culturally sensitive discussions, allowing Muslim women to voice
their concerns about screenings without fear of judgment. By tailoring breast screening
interventions, such as providing female healthcare providers and private screening areas, the
approach ensures co-designed, inclusive care. This promotes trust, empowerment, and respect,
ensuring the cultural identity of the community is preserved (Padela et al., 2018; Wilson et al.,
2022).
Sustainable Development Goals:
The Sustainable Development Goal most applicable to this case study is Goal 3: Good
health and well-being, emphasises equitable healthcare access and reducing disparities, essential
for marginalized groups like Muslim women in Broadmeadows (United Nations, 2023). Breast
cancer screening aligns with this goal by promoting early detection and reducing mortality.
Education and culturally tailored interventions enhance awareness and address barriers to access
(Singh et al., 2022). Initiatives such as providing same-gender healthcare providers, privates
screening spaces, and multilingual health guides build trust and create and inclusive care
environment. These strategies not only address modesty and privacy concerns but also empower
women to participate in preventive healthcare. By fostering increased screening participation and
addressing health disparities, these efforts contribute to sustainable health outcomes and
equitable care improvements across communities (United Nations, 2023; Padela et al., 2018).
Reference list:
Please note: reference list not included in word count.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024). BreastScreen Australia monitoring report 2024.
Canberra: AIHW. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancerscreening/
breastscreen-australia-monitoring-report-2024
Christie-de Jong, F., Kotzur, M., Amiri, R., Ling, J., Mooney, J.D., & Robb, K.A. (2022). Qualitative
evaluation of a codesigned faith-based intervention for Muslim women in Scotland to
encourage uptake of breast, colorectal and cervical cancer screening. BMJ Open, 12(5),
e058739. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058739
Coleman, C. (2017). Early Detection and Screening for Breast Cancer. Seminars in Oncology
Nursing, 33(2), 141-155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soncn.2017.02.009
McLaren, H., Hamiduzzaman, M., Patmisari, E., Jones, M., & Taylor, R. (2024). Health and Social
Care Outcomes with Muslim-Minorities in Australia, Canada, UK and the USA. Journal of
religion and health, 63(3), 2031-2067. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-022-01679-2
Moey, S.F., Sowtali, S.N., & Mohamad Ismail, M.F., Hashi, A., Mohd. Azharuddin, N.S., & Che
Mohamed, N. (2022). Cultural, Religious and Socio-Ethical Misconceptions among Muslim
Women Towards Breast Cancer Screening: A Systematic Review. Asian Pacific Journal of
Cancer prevention,23(12), 3971-3982. https://doi.org/10.31557/APJCP.2022.23.12.3971
Padela, A.I., Malik, S., Ally, S.A., Quinn, M., Hall, S., & Peek, M. (2018). Reducing Muslim
Mammography Disparities: Outcomes From a Religiously Tailored Mosque-Based
Intervention. Health Education & Behavior, 45(6), 1025-1035.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198118769371
Singh, H.P., Singh, A., Alam, F., & Agrawal, V. (2022). Impact of Sustainable Development Goals on
Economic Growth in Saudi Arabia: Role of Education and Training. Sustainability, 14(21),
- https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114119
Smith, G.L., Lopez-Olivo, M.A., Advani, P.G., Ning, M.S., Geng, Y., Giordano, S.H., & Volk, R.J.
(2019). Financial Burdens of Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review of Risk Factors and
Outcomes. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network: JNCCN, 17(10), 1184- - https://doi.org/10.6004/jnccn.2019.7305
Tackett, S., Young, J.H., Putman, S., Wiener, C., Deruggiero, K., & Bayram, J.D. (2018). Barriers to
healthcare among Muslim women: A narrative review of the literature. Women’s Studies
International Forum, 69(69), 190-194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2018.02.009
United Nations. (2023). Goal 3: Ensure Healthy Lives and Promote well-being for All at All Ages.
United Nations. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal3
Wilson, L., Wilkinson, A., & Tikao, K. (2022). Health professional perspectives on translation of
cultural safety concepts into practice: A scoping study. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences,
3, 891571. https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2022.891571
World Health Organization. (2022). Health Promotion. Retrieved from
https://www.who.int/health-topics/health-promotion
World Health Organization. (2023, December 1). Human Rights and Health. World Health
Organisation. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-rights-andhealth
Zagloul, M., Mohammed, B., Abufares, N., Sandozi, A., Farhan, S., Anwer, S., Tumusiime, S., &
Bojang, M. (2024). Review of Muslim patient needs and its implications on healthcare
delivery. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 15.
https://doi.org/10.1177/21501319241228740
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