Health promotion practices among the Iranians: Use of poetry in promotion

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to study the use of poetry as a method of health promotion. The focus of this paper is placed on the use of poetry in health promotion in the Iranian community, as poetry is a very distinct method of communication used amongst the Iranian population. Poetry and prose has been viewed by many to facilitate communication and to deal with many emotions very effectively. This is how it is used within the Iranian community. Difficulties are often experienced when dealing with communities of different cultural backgrounds. When dealing with those of different cultural backgrounds the importance of the messages being culturally relevant can not be stressed highly enough. The following paper suggests why those non-members of the Iranian community may have difficulty promoting healthy practices among this community. It also stresses the importance to those involved in promoting positive health behaviours, general health practitioners and health workers, working with individuals and communities of different cultural backgrounds must be aware of the appropriate methods and practices required in their specific field.