DefinePK

Abstract

The importance of cultural competency among nurses in diverse healthcare settings cannot be underestimated. Understanding cultural differences is essential for effective patient care. Cultural competence is vital globally, especially in places like Peshawar, Pakistan, with a growing migrant population. Despite a shortage of nurses, their role in fostering cultural understanding is crucial. Assessing nurses' knowledge of cultural competence in Peshawar's major hospitals is vital, offering insights for targeted training programs and improving healthcare. Objective: To assess the cultural competence levels of registered nurses in tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar and identify factors influencing their cultural awareness and sensitivity. Methods: A cross-sectional study in four major tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar, Pakistan, utilized a convenient sample of 268 registered nurses directly involved in patient care were surveyed using an adopted questionnaire of 11 questions on culture competencies. Data analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Ethical approval was obtained from Rehman College of Nursing and hospital ethics boards while ensuring participant confidentiality, voluntary participation and informed consent. Results: Results showed 0.37% were adequately competent, 16.04% moderately competent, and 83.20% highly competent. The mean score was 17.65 with a standard deviation of 2.122. Participants' backgrounds, training attendance, and work experiences were considered in the analysis. Conclusions: The study revealed that elderly, veterans, especially those with extensive cross-cultural patient interactions, displayed greater cultural competence.  This information is useful for tailoring culturally sensitive training programs to the nurses who will benefit the most from them.