EFFECT OF A TRANSCULTURAL TRAINING PROGRAMME ON THE CULTURAL COMPETENCE OF NURSING STUDENTS IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN: A QUASI EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Abstract

Background. Evidence of structured training for nursing students in Pakistan regarding cultural competence is limited, and nurses need to provide culturally sensitive care to patients from diverse backgrounds. This study assessed the impact of a transcultural training programme on the cultural competence of nursing students in Karachi and examined if there was impact difference based on students' characteristics. Methods. The quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test with control group was used, based on the model of Campinha-Bacote, and Adult Learning Theory. The Nurse Cultural Competence Scale (20 items) was used to assess cultural knowledge, sensitivity and skill pre- and post-programme. The data were analysed using t-tests, moderation by gender, education level, previous multicultural clinical experience and age, and mixed ANOVA and ANCOVA. Results. Both groups improved, but the intervention group improved far more (total score 64.90 to 77.85, d = 1.67, versus 64.64 to 66.45, d = 0.34, in the control group). The intervention group scored 11.17 points higher than the control group (95% CI [9.34, 13.00]), F(1, 197) = 144.75, p < .001, partial η² = .42, with significant differences in knowledge, sensitivity and skill. The effect was not different for males and females but greater for diploma students, and for students with no multicultural experience and for younger students. Conclusions. The transcultural training programme had a significant impact on the cultural competence of nursing students. The results confirm the need to incorporate transcultural training into nursing training programs and to modify it for more advanced learners.