Reflection On Determinants of Health

Reflection on Determinants of Health
Tabarak Gulrez
30135762
University of Calgary in Qatar
N 208: Perspectives and Influences of Health
Ms. Arlene Masaba
October 24, 2021

Determinants of Health
Determinants are certain factors that can influence a person’s health. These determinants
helped me categorize why some people are healthy while some are unhealthy. For the concept
map and reflection, I have interviewed myself with the set of questions provided in our learning
platform; D2L. I have classified the determinants of health based on personal, social, economic
and environmental factors that influenced my health status. At the end, I was also able to assess
certain actions to foster good health and well-being as a part of health promotion strategy to
promote my health and prevent potential risk factors.
Strengths and Challenges
Through the weekly lectures and reading of social determinants, I have always wanted to
know how would each determinant impact my health and the concept of health and wellness. I
decided to interview myself to know where I stood in all the determinants. I printed a copy of all
the questions as a simple questionnaire and gifted it to myself as a reflective survey to complete
before 21 October, 2021. As I answered the questions, I realized how important it is to know
about determinants as a budding student nurse. I was able to identify each determinant of health
and reflect on how it influenced my health in both positive as well as negative manner. However,
asking myself honest questions and answers was a difficult task for me. I had to look back at the
haunting memories which disturbed my mental health and emotional stability. I analyzed my
questionnaire and came to a conclusion that each determinant had its own definition of health
and how it influenced my lifestyle. Social support network, individual health practices and social
environment were the non-supportive determinants. Income, education, employment, healthy
child development, physical environment, biological endowment, health care, gender and culture
were the supportive determinants that influenced my health in a positive manner.

Supportive Elements of Health
I am happy with my income status and my parents are proud of me while I am managing
both my work and studies. I have a savings account so I have to be vigilant about my financial
goals and needs and accordingly spend money. By working, I already feel like an independent
woman; which is at the top of my bucket list. I am not stressed about money and tuition expenses
because my family and I have been maintaining it accordingly. I have completed my high school
with excellent percentage and my school had taught me a lot more than the basic knowledge. I
am an excellent orator and I believe that I have a strong self-esteem as a result of which I passed
in my job interview for working in the student service department and as a ULA in my
university. My parents ensured that I had all the necessary vaccines taken when I was an infant
and I have taken my immunization for my university’s clinicals for the safety of myself as well
as for my patients. My parents did their best to ensure that I had a healthy child development by
enrolling me in workshops such as abacus and nursery to develop my cognitive ability. I am
grateful to have a roof over my head and healthy and nutritious food to maintain a healthy diet. I
did not experience gender inequality in my surrounding, so there was less depression and
anxiety. Fasting in the month of Ramadan as a religious practice helped me stay fit by quitting on
fast food and eat three dates before and after observing the fast. It also scientifically relieved
ingestion and poor bowel movement.
Non-Supportive Elements of Health
I really wanted my family members from both paternal and maternal sides to support me
when I got accepted into a nursing university. They believe that nurses do not have a good
reputation and clean patient’s throw-up or something worse than that. Every time I talked with
them over a call, they would ask me “Why did you select nursing, who told you to do that”
instead of “How are you doing”. This phase was really difficult for me and I grew more and
more anxious every time I had a conversation with my relatives. The result was me over-eating
fast food at least twice in a week. I overcame this once I started my nursing school and got
engaged in the activities and assignments. I travel by metro, so I had to walk from my home to
the nearest metro station. This helped me maintain my physical activity despite my tight
schedule. I ate my meals, not on time always, but my face looked pale and tired. Even my mother
complains about my pale face and insists me to drink 8 glasses of water in a day. My parents are
working as teachers in high school. When I was in middle school, I felt excluded from the class
because there were rumors about me given more privileges because I was a teacher’s daughter. I
suffered from inferiority complex. Gradually as I reached secondary school, I was able to cope
up by honestly expressing my concerns with my parents and teachers.
Health Promotion Strategies
Health promotion strategies aims to increase control over and to improve the health at
every stage of life. An individual is able to attain complete state of health and well being if
he/she realizes the needs, aspirations and cope up with a proper lifestyle. The Ottowa Charter
recognizes the importance of advocating, enabling and mediating for improved health across all
groups and individuals in a society (Jongen et al., 2017). I would consider creating supportive
environment the most appropriate level of strategy to improve my health status. This strategy
would ensure healthy physical and social environment; especially for someone who needs
adequate nutritious food and a supportive environment. This strategy would also ensure proper
working conditions so that I can manage and balance my time well for work and studies.
References
Jongen, C.S., McCalman, J., & Bainbridge, R.G. (2017). The Implementation and Evaluation of
Health Promotion Services and Programs to Improve Cultural Competency: A Systematic
Scoping Review. Frontiers in Public Health, 5, 24.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2017.00024
Potter, P., Perry, A. G., Stockert, P., Hall, A. (2019). Canadian fundamentals of nursing (6th ed,.
Astle, B. J., & Duggleby, W. Eds.). Elsevier Canada.

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Reflection on Determinants of Health

N 208: Perspectives and Influences of Health

Ms. Arlene Masaba

October 24, 2021

promote my health and prevent potential risk factors.

Strengths and Challenges

environment were the non-supportive determinants. Income, education, employment, healthy

were the supportive determinants that influenced my health in a positive manner.

enrolling me in workshops such as abacus and nursery to develop my cognitive ability. I am

ingestion and poor bowel movement.

Non-Supportive Elements of Health

up by honestly expressing my concerns with my parents and teachers.

Health Promotion Strategies

Health Promotion Services and Programs to Improve Cultural Competency: A Systematic

Scoping Review. Frontiers in Public Health, 5, 24.

Astle, B. J., & Duggleby, W. Eds.). Elsevier Canada.

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