Cultural Challenge in Managing Malnutrition of Orang Asli Children The Perspectives of the Healthcare Providers

Introduction: Approximately 40% of Orang Asli (OA) children are categorized underweight. This study was to explore the challenges in relation to the cultural practices that healthcare providers faced in the management of malnutrition among OA children in Perak.  Method: Three focus group discussions comprised of nurses and medical doctors. • Three In-depth interviews were conducted for a pediatrician and two nutritionists. • The healthcare providers selected were involved in healthcare services in caring for the urban or subrural OA population in Perak for at least 6 months. Results: In regards to custom cultural challenge,  i. Food Taboos. OA’s food taboos influenced their food consumption, which has a health impact on the growth of OA children. The commonly avoided chicken reared locally at the village, eggs and fruits. They believe that these foods would cause adverse effect to their children. ii. Spiritual Belief. OA people sought treatment from traditional practitioners, which are often linked with spiritual belief. This affect the children accessibility to health services. iii. Lifestyles. OA practice semi-nomadic lifestyles, they would bring the children away from their village for many months. In regards to value cultural challenge, i. Life priorities. Life priorities were perceived differently in the OA community than in the general population. They place a greater priority on other aspects in life rather than food. ii. Aboriginal Kinship. OA communities has their own set value in aboriginal kinship and practice huge family structures. They would share food and salary with their extended family members who lived under one roof. As a result, inadequate food intake of the children. Discussion/conclusion: OA practice distinctively different culture that has great influence in the management of malnutrition among the OA children in Perak. To improve acceptance and adherence of the OA group to healthcare services, more trainings are needed to increase the awareness, knowledge, and the cross-cultural skill of the health care provider to the norms and values of the OA community.