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Religion

Closely allied with the concept of Race is the concept of Religion. This is especially true with immigrants from third-world countries where religious practice still has a strong influence in the actions of every-day life. "In some families the family's religion is a vital shaper of health values, beliefs and practices (Friedmann, 1997, p.281)." Such religious values and beliefs can influence a person's behaviour and attitude.

For example, people of different faiths might observe food restrictions, some may have requirements in relation to prayer and worship such as needing to wash beforehand. Religious practice permeates every aspect of people's lives and is intimately intertwined with their culture. (Henley and Schott, 2000, p. 13]

Therefore considering a new patient's religion may give a nurse the starting point in deciding how to define "culturally sensitive care" for the person.