Assessing cultural competence and factors affecting it among nurses in tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the levels of cultural competence among nurses, and to identify the influencing factors. Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted from May 10 to November 28, 2024, in Peshawar, Pakistan, and comprised nurses of either gender from both private and government tertiary care hospitals having professional experience of at least four months. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS 26. Result: Of the 337 nurses with mean age 27.26±4.81 years (range: 21-50 years), 187(55.5%) were male and 150(44.5%) were female. Overall, 317(94%) nurses showed high cultural competence, with scores ranging 76-100%, followed by 18(5.3%) having moderate cultural competence, with scores ranging 51-75%, and 2(0.6%) having low cultural competence, with scores ranging 1-50%. Factors influencing cultural competence were treating people from diverse cultural backgrounds (p<0.05), and 295(87.5%) subjects noted institutional support for the development of cultural competence. Conclusion: High level of cultural competence was noted among the nurses. Key Words: Cultural competence, Nurses in Peshawar, Tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar, Peshawar.