Evaluation of Cultural Competence of Nurses Working in Hospitals on the Syrian Border

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was conducted to examine the cultural competencies of nurses working in hospitals located on the Syrian border. MATERIAL AND METHODS:The descriptive study was conducted in Suruc, Akcakale, Harran and Ceylanpınar State Hospitals on the Syrian border between July and August 2020. The population of the study comprises 302 nurses working in hospitals, 245 of whom agreed to participate in the study. A sociodemographic information form and cultural competence scale for nurses created after literature review was used for data collection. RESULTS: The mean scores for a cultural competence scale, cultural skills subdimension, cultural knowledge subdimension, and cultural sensitivity subdimension of the participating nurses were 74.95±13.50, 45.18±8.43, 22.32±4.23, and 7.44±1.68, respectively. The nurses’ cultural competence levels were found to be above average. CONCLUSION: Cultural competence should be a priority in the provision of healthcare, and planning for developing this qualification among healthcare workers is essential. Cultural competence education should be included in the training programs for nurses.