Understanding Somali Cultural Beliefs, Attitudes and Practices in Maternal Healthcare

Description: The purpose of our monthly seminar is to help improve the cultural competence of health professionals serving the Somali community. The objectives of this seminar are:

• To understand traditional Somali beliefs about pregnancy and childbirth 


• To understand Somali attitudes and practices that can influence use of maternal health services


• To gain insights from real case studies that can help enhance patient-provider interaction and improve health outcomes  

The seminar will include a comprehensive topic presentation, case study exercises, and a question and answer session. Seminar offers 2.4 Continuing Educaiton Credits.

Intended Audience: Physicians, physician assistants, nurses, midwives, social workers, health plan workers, health department workers, nonprofit/community health workers, students 

Speaker: Asli A. Ashkir, RN, MPH

Mrs. Ashkir is a Somali native and an experienced intercultural educator, speaker,trainer, and consultant. She is a Registered Nurse in the state of Minnesota, with more than 30 years combined experience in clinical nursing, public health, and management.  She has worked with various public and private health institutions throughout the world. For more than 10 years, Mrs. Ashkir provided direct clinical care to Somali patients in different clinical settings (primary health care, specialty care clinics, inpatient care) both in Somalia and in the United States. Mrs. Ashkir’s deep understanding of the Somali culture, coupled with her clinical care expertise, allows her to deliver insights specifically focused on the Somali culture and its influence on health beliefs and behaviors. Mrs. Ashkir has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from India and a Masters of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  As a public speaker, trainer, and an exemplary communicator, Mrs. Ashkir is able to direct dynamic and informative presentations, workshops, and seminars. Please visit  www.somalihealthsolutions.com for more information about our speaker.

About Somali Health Solutions

We offer seminars, workshops, and consultations to help improve the cultural competence of health professionals serving the Somali community and to provide strategies for improving health outcomes.

Monthly Seminars 

We hold monthly seminars focused on Somali culture and its influence on various health topics. Please visit www.somalihealthsolutions.com to sign up for information about our upcoming seminars. We also offer workshops, consulting, and training services. Please visitwww.somalihealthsolutions.com to learn more about our services.

Contact Information

For questions, please contact us at info@somalihealthsolutions.com or at 651-399-1030.