# Caring for Somali patients: a guide for doctors, nurses and carers > A guide to caring for Somali patients: family, faith, Ramadan, interpreters, vaccines, female genital cutting, mental health and common health conditions. Source page: https://calankii.com/en/society/caring-for-somali-patients/ Last checked: 2026-11-12 Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com) ## In short Somali patients are as varied as any other group. Still, some patterns come up often in clinics in Somalia and abroad. Ask each patient what they prefer, and do not assume (Minnesota Department of Health, below). The main US guide is the **Somali Refugee Health Profile**. It was first written by the CDC and has been kept by the Minnesota Center of Excellence in Newcomer Health since March 2024 ([Minnesota Department of Health, Somali Refugee Health Profile](https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/rih/coe/profiles/somali.html); [CDC, 2018 edition](https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/61178)). ## Family and faith - **Family comes first.** "Somali culture is more focused on the family than on the individual." Wives, husbands and children often come to appointments, and elders may be consulted on big decisions (Minnesota Department of Health). - **Same-sex care.** Many Somali Muslims prefer a doctor, nurse or interpreter of the same sex. Ask early, and book accordingly (Minnesota Department of Health). - **God's will.** In Islam, the time of death is known only to God. When a patient is dying, it is best not to give a timeframe ([EthnoMed, Somali cultural profile](https://ethnomed.org/culture/somali/)). - **Bad news goes to the family first.** Families often expect to hear a poor prognosis before the patient, so they can prepare and comfort them. Religious leaders are usually called when a serious illness is found (EthnoMed). - **Ramadan.** Many adults fast from dawn to dusk for a month. Plan doses before dawn and after sunset where it is safe (Minnesota Department of Health). - **Halal medicines.** Some patients avoid capsules made with pork gelatin. Offer an alternative when one exists (Minnesota Department of Health). For the faith itself, see [Islam in Somalia](/en/society/islam-in-somalia/). ## Language and interpreters Use a trained medical interpreter. Ask whether the patient wants an interpreter of the same gender or background (Minnesota Department of Health). Somali has several dialects, and [Maay](/en/society/maay-language/) speakers from the south may not follow standard Somali well; see [the Somali language](/en/society/the-somali-language/). ## Conditions to screen for Minnesota screened newly arrived Somali refugees from 1999 to 2016 (Minnesota Department of Health): | Condition | Finding | |---|---| | Latent tuberculosis | 43% of those screened | | Active tuberculosis | 2% | | Intestinal parasites | 18% had at least one | | Hepatitis B (HBsAg) | 7% | | Anaemia | 19% of women, 7% of men | | Raised lead in children | about 20% above 5 µg/dL | One clinic study found diabetes in 12.1% of Somali patients, against 5.3% of other patients (Minnesota Department of Health). ## Vaccines and trust Some Somali families in Minnesota worried that the MMR vaccine causes autism. This is not true, but coverage among Somali two-year-olds there fell from 91% in 2004 to 54% in 2010 (Minnesota Department of Health). In spring 2017, Minnesota had a measles outbreak. Of the 65 cases confirmed by 31 May, 55 (85%) were US-born children of Somali descent ([CDC, MMWR, July 2017](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6627a1.htm)). Clinicians are advised to discuss vaccines with cultural humility and to build trust with families and community leaders (Minnesota Department of Health). ## Female genital cutting Up to 98% of women in Somalia have been cut, by the profile's estimate (Minnesota Department of Health). The profile lists it among the priority conditions for Somali patients, and notes it "remains ingrained in Somali culture" despite laws against it. For figures from Somalia, see [Health in Somalia](/en/society/health-in-somalia/); for one Somali leader's campaign against it, see [Edna Adan Ismail](/en/people/edna-adan-ismail/). ## Mental health Many Somalis have lived through war, flight and camp life. A survey in [Melkadida](/en/diaspora/refugee-camps/) camp in Ethiopia found depressive symptoms in 38.3% of adults (Minnesota Department of Health). Distress is often described through the body, as headaches, chest pain, forgetfulness, poor sleep and nightmares. Mental health (*caafimaadka maskaxda*) is still a fairly new idea for many Somalis ([EthnoMed, Somali mental health](https://ethnomed.org/resource/somali-mental-health/)). Some believe illness can come from the evil eye but may not say so (EthnoMed). Patients may also see traditional or religious healers (Minnesota Department of Health). ## I want to help In 2014 Somalia had about one doctor for every 20,000 people, the latest World Bank figure (see [Health in Somalia](/en/society/health-in-somalia/)). Nurses, midwives and doctors who know Somali patients can do a great deal, at home or abroad. If you are a health worker and want to help, start at [Join](/en/join/). ## Sources - Minnesota Department of Health, Center of Excellence in Newcomer Health. [Somali Refugee Health Profile](https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/rih/coe/profiles/somali.html), updated March 2024. - CDC (2018). [Somali Refugee Health Profile](https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/61178). - CDC (2017). [Measles outbreak, Minnesota, April to May 2017](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6627a1.htm). *MMWR* 66(27). - EthnoMed, University of Washington. [Somali cultural profile](https://ethnomed.org/culture/somali/) and [Somali mental health](https://ethnomed.org/resource/somali-mental-health/). --- I want to help with this: email hello@calankii.com. Fix this page: email hello@calankii.com with the page link and your source.