Republic of South Africa
- Cross-Cultural Nursing Database

Language

11 official languages: English, Afrikaans, Bantu languages (Zulu, Sotho, etc.)
(in Japanese history)Ministry of Foreign Affairs HP South Africa)

nation

Black (79%), White (9.6%), Coloured (Mixed Race) (8.9%), Asian (2.5%)
(in Japanese history)Ministry of Foreign Affairs HP South Africa)

religion

Christianity (about 80% of population), Hinduism, Islam
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs HP South Africa)

Other customs and culture

• Because of the British influence, the hospital has tea time five times a day, starting with tea at 6:00. A little cookie is served with tea or coffee.
  (Care the World: Childbirth and Child-Raising Information Network Overseas)
• The Bantu tribe has a custom of sleeping with bricks under the bed, making the bed higher. One would tend to think that this is to prevent insects from coming up, or that the air is warmer at the top, so the area under the bed can be used effectively, but this is not the case. It is simply to ward off evil. It is believed that these demons are so small that they cannot come up to the top.
  (Care The World Overseas Childbirth & Child-Rearing Information Net, Worldwide Child-Raising)

Customs, habits, health, etc.

1. notes on manners, customs, and national character

In South Africa, all laws that had formed the basis of apartheid were repealed in 1991, and the first democratic general election was held in 1994, resulting in the birth of the first black president in South African history. Since then, the political situation in the country has generally stabilized and democracy is steadily taking root. On the other hand, the unemployment rate remains high and the disparity between the rich and the poor is large, making the improvement of the lives of low-income people an urgent issue. For this reason, demonstrations by labor unions and other groups are frequent, but be aware that they can turn violent.

2. health care considerations

(1) Because it is located in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are opposite to those of Japan. Especially in winter (June to August), the temperature difference between day and night is large, and the minimum temperature can drop to near zero, making it easy to catch a cold or influenza. The dry climate requires the use of humidifiers and creams for people with sensitive throats and skin.

(2) Tap water and food hygiene in urban areas is generally good, but travelers are advised to use mineral water for drinking.

3. infectious diseases to be aware of

(1) Malaria

(2) Rabies

(3) Others
These include meningococcal meningitis and parasitic diseases (schistosomiasis) that enter the body through the skin by entering rivers and other sources. South Africa is also one of the countries with the highest number of HIV-infected and AIDS patients in the world. Although the risk of infection in daily life is low, care should be taken to avoid direct contact with other people's blood and body fluids.

4. medical conditions

In the case of private hospitals (including dentistry), you can expect a satisfactory standard of medical care if you choose the right facilities and doctors. In case of time-sensitive illness or accident, the emergency department of the private hospital (called Casualty or Trauma Service, which is available 24 hours a day) should be used. Service, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). There are two ways to transport a patient: calling an ambulance or going to the hospital yourself.　However, private hospitals are relatively expensive compared to those in Japan. Medical care in South Africa is highly divided, and medical fees are charged separately for doctors, hospitals, tests, etc.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Overseas Safety Web Site)

Customs related to pregnancy and childbirth

• Johannesburg, South Africa is a very modern city. It is also advanced in terms of medical care. Japanese people may be hesitant to use painless delivery because it is not very common in Japan and there have been reports of accidents, but many doctors recommend it.
  (Care The World Overseas Childbirth and Child-Raising Information Network: Births Around the World)
• In some parts of South Africa, for example the Tswana tribe, not only postnatal but also some of the mother's hair, nails, and breast milk are buried in secret places by old women.
  ("The Culture and Truth of Breastfeeding" by Naomi Pommeslag, Dia L. Mitchells, published by Medica Publishing in 2003)

Customs related to end-of-life and funerals

• When a person dies, the death is reported to the district court with the doctor's death certificate.
• Most use private funeral homes.
• Most of the cemeteries are public, and many people seek cemeteries for their spouses.
• While some devout believers prefer to be buried in their own church, the general public tends to prefer a simple funeral in a chapel or cemetery within a funeral home.
• It has the highest cremation rate on the African continent.
• Funerals are generally held by people who gather more relatives for a grand ceremony.

(Funerals in the World: Shoto Hiromichi, Shincho-Sensho, 1991)

Medical taboos, etc.

Marriage after the discovery of pregnancy is taboo in Egypt.
(World Medical Association)

breast-feeding

Maternity Protection
Maternal and health rights for women have been achieved in countries with strong trade unions, such as South Africa, where the World Labor Organization (ILO) provided for six weeks of paid time after childbirth in 1919 and for paid breastfeeding time during working hours in 1952.
("The Culture and Truth of Breastfeeding" by Naomi Pommeslag, Dia L. Mitchells, published by Medica Publishing in 2003)

education

Years of compulsory education 9 years (2006)
Literacy rate (female) 80.91 TP3T (1996)
Literacy rate (male) 84.11 TP3T (1996)
Literacy rate (all) 82.41 TP3T (1996)
Net enrollment rate, elementary school (girls) 87% (2004)
Net enrollment rate, elementary school (male) 87% (2004)
Net enrollment rate, elementary (all) 87% (2004)

cause of death

Population vs. 100,000 (2004)

• Tuberculosis (149.3)
• HIV (28.5)
• Malignant neoplasms (70.2)
• Cardiovascular disease (169.5)
• Respiratory disease (163.6)
• Gastrointestinal disorders (35.0)
• Traffic accidents (11.1)
• Unforeseen accidents (11.9)
• Suicide (0.8)

(World Health Statistics)

immunization

BCG, polio, DPT, MMR, hepatitis B, and Hib vaccinations are offered.
Private schools require immunization certificates at the time of enrollment.
（Immunization for Children South Africa)

BCG: 78
DTP1: 77
DTP3: 72
Hepatitis B: 76
Hib: 72
Measles: 78
Tetanus: 77
Polio: 73

(2011) (WHO)

Medical Occupations

• Doctors 0.8 (vs. 1000)
• Nurse-midwives 4.1 (same)

(in Japanese history)World Health Statistics)

total fertility rate

2.5 (2010) (WHO)

Infant mortality rate (thousands of births vs.)

41 (2010) (WHO)

life expectancy

Male: 54 (2009) (WHO)
Female: 55 (2009) (WHO)