Child health care nurses' cultural competence in health visits with children of foreign background

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate child health care nurses' cultural competence in health visits with children and their families of foreign background. Design: A cross-sectional design combined with a qualitative explorative design. Methods: The nurses assessed their cultural competence using a modified version of the Clinical Cultural Competency Questionnaire. Interviews were used to obtain a detailed description of the nurses' cultural competence. Results: The nurses assessed themselves as rather culturally competent. They scored above mid-score in the total score for cultural competence and on all subscales. Education in cultural diversity at the nurses' workplace had the highest association to cultural competence. The nurses described their awareness as recognizing each child and her/his family rather than their cultural background, and viewing the child as a unique part of her/his cultural context. Despite their high scores on cultural competence, the nurses described a lack of cultural knowledge and explained their need of further knowledge.