The intercultural sensitivity levels of primary health care workers in a city in Eastern Turkey

Abstract

Objective: To assess intercultural sensitivity levels and related factors of primary healthcare workers providing care to a variety of socio-ethnic groups. Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1, 2019, to February 1, 2020, in the city of Mardin, Turkey, and comprised primary healthcare workers. Data was collected using a questionnaire about socio-demographic characteristics and the Turkish version of the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale. Data was analysed using SPSS 24 software version. Results: Of the 150 subjects approached, 131(87.3%) volunteered to participate. Of them, 80(61%) were females and 51(39%) were males. The largest age group was 25-34 years having 77(59%) subjects. The total mean score of the intercultural sensitivity scale was 73.30±16.7. There was a strong relationship between the subscales of 'Responsibility and Interaction Attentiveness' and 'Respect for Cultural Differences' (p<0.01). Significant difference was found between the sensitivity levels and the job titles of the participants, their status of friendship in different countries, the opportunity to be with people in other cultures for any reason, the status of willingness to work in different cultures and their intercultural sensitivity scale scores (p<0.05). Conclusions: The level of cultural sensitivity of the healthcare professionals was overall moderate. © 2021 Pakistan Medical Association. All rights reserved.