Cultural aspects of wound care

Introduction:
The increase in migration increases the likelihood of caring for a patient from a different culture. Cultural and religious factors may determine the wound healing process. The aim of the study was familiarize wound care nurses with patients’ cultural and religious beliefs that may affect the wound healing process.

Material and methods:
An online database was searched using the PubMed and Google search engines. Then, the available literature was analysed that met the conditions for inclusion in the study of the subject of the article, and the selected content was used in the work.

Results:
Cultural and religious factors have a significant impact on the process of wound formation and the course of treatment (nutrition restrictions, selection of dressings, superstitions, the use of alternative methods of treatment). It should be emphasized that spiritual leaders consent to the use of medicinal products prohibited by religion, with the informed consent of the patient, in order to save human health

Conclusions:
Nurses should be aware of their patients’ cultural beliefs about wounds and incorporate them into the wound management process.