Laissez les bon temps rouler (let the good times roll): can embedded Cajun cultural health beliefs be changed through traditional health education?

Abstract: An exploration to identify the impact of traditional health education on embedded cultural beliefs of the Cajun population in Cameron Parish Louisiana was performed. The largest parish in the state also has a much higher incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) than the national average. Ten residents in western Cameron Parish of Cajun heritage were interviewed to obtain views of health as it related to their culture and CHD. In general, although the participants had acquired knowledge pertaining to the cause of CHD, they valued their culturally prepared foods any way of life above their health. As a unique and isolated group, they continue to have many beliefs and health practices different than the mainstream. The challenge for health care professionals is to use innovative social and health education that will break through cultural barriers to promote health prevention. Key Words: Cajun Culture, Cajun Cultural Health Beliefs, Traditional Health Education Cultural issues in nursing have come to the forefront with the realization that health beliefs of unique populations impact their health in general both long and short term. These cultural health beliefs are deeply embedded values that are not easily modified by nursing's current educational modalities. "Cajuns" of Louisiana are one of these unique populations that continue their cultural traditions at the risk of their health. Cajun is a term used to refer to descendents of Acadian exiles who carved a new homeland in the Mississippi Valley between 1764 and 1803 (Brasseaux, 1995). One of the twenty-two Acadiana parishes in Louisiana is Cameron Parish located in the southwestern part of the state. This largest parish in the state currently has a much higher inci-- dence of coronary heart disease (CHD) than the national average. In fact, according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (2000), it is the leading cause of death in the parish with 279.8 per 100,000 compared with 216 per 100,000 nationally. These are astounding statistics that are further illustrated within age groups: Age 25 - 44: 23% (higher than injuries at 15%) Age 45 65 39% Age 65+ 37% In an attempt to identify the impact of traditional health education on embedded cultural beliefs of the Cajun population in Cameron Parish Louisiana an exploration of the issue follows. Cajuns have traditionally been known for their joie de vivre (joy of life), lassiez les bon temps rouler (let the good times roll), and their second religion, sumptuous food and drink (Faulk, 1977). Roux, a mixture of oil and flour, is the base for many Cajun dishes such as etouffee, fricassee, piquante, gumbos and stews (Mazur, 1996). Add andouille sausage and other pork dishes in abundance along with fried seafood dishes and one has a recipe for CHD. Celebrations or festivals define the Cajun population where food and drink are abundant. Many Cajun restaurants serve a seafood buffet with multiple fried seafood dishes along with gumbo and etouffee nightly. Is it any wonder that CHD is the leading cause of death in the parish? Cajuns have long struggled to preserve their culture. This can be seen from the history of settling in near isolation along the cheniers and prairies in Louisiana. The Cajuns entered the 20th century with a language and culture resembling 17th century Nova Scotia instead of that of the rest of the United States (Garg, Filozof, Etheredge & Maney, 1998). They rallied around home, family and church establishing close-knit farming and fishing communities. Folkways and superstitions constituted an integral part of everyday life for Cajuns with a firm belief in faith healing. Medical doctors were unavailable, particularly in the rural areas of southwestern Louisiana and traiteurs or sorcerers practiced a unique brand of folk medicine. Elements of mysticism and Catholic dogma were combined in the practice (Brasseaux, 1995). …