Prejudiced Attitudes of Nursing Students in Southern Spain Toward Migrant Patients

Abstract

Introduction The increase in the migrant population in Spain has transformed the cultural profile of public health care users. The purpose of this study is to recognize the subtle and blatant prejudices nursing students have toward migrant patients. Method An ex post facto descriptive study, using a transversal design ( N = 1,393). Results Males showed a higher degree of prejudice ( p < .05). Students in their first year have more subtle prejudices than those in their fourth year ( p < .005). Blatant prejudice increases from the first year to the fourth year of the degree program ( p < .05). Regarding context, there were differences found between subtle and blatant prejudice (both, p < .05), as students in areas with high migratory pressure showed more prejudiced attitudes toward migrant patients. Discussion Students display subtle prejudices, which is why education in culturally congruent health care must be integrated across all levels of nursing education, with the objective of diminishing prejudice against the migrant population.

Cultural Sensitivity of a Group of Nursing Students’ and Attitudes Toward Refugees

“…Men’s NATIS scores were significantly higher than women’s, and men had a more negative attitude toward immigrants. Similar to our study, in a study conducted with nursing students in Spain, male students had more negative attitudes toward immigrants (Alemany-Arrebola et al, 2021). A study conducted with nursing students in Portugal found that gender was not an influential factor in attitudes toward immigrants, with women agreeing that the coexistence of different cultures promotes knowledge sharing and mutual respect.…”

“…In the study in which 116 nursing students participated, it was found that the educational content provided on cultural care would reduce negative attitudes toward immigrants and contribute to the adoption of the importance of intercultural care (Sánchez-Ojeda et al, 2021). In the context of intercultural nursing, it is essential to include prejudiced attitudes toward immigrants, environment-culture relationship (Gurrutxaga et al, 2019), health services compatible with the patient’s culture (Akgül Gündoğdu et al, 2022; Jin et al, 2020), including cultural care guidelines and practices related to avoiding discriminatory behaviors in the nursing education curriculum (Alemany-Arrebola et al, 2021; Sánchez-Ojeda et al, 2020). In line with these findings that the negative impact of the cultural difference of individuals on the treatments and care approach, the increase in the cultural sensitivity levels of nursing students with education prevents them from displaying negative attitudes toward immigrants.…”

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Health Inequities: A Photovoice Study With Nursing Students

“…Education in social determinants of health, social justice, and sociocultural competence should be an essential element integrated throughout the degree programs. These points are insufficiently taught in nursing programs (Alemany-Arrebola et al, 2021; Demirtas et al, 2021; Habibzadeh et al, 2021). Moreover, no research has been found in which students reflected about how the virus influences those at a higher risk of suffering its wider consequences (specifically in ethnic minorities and socioeconomically vulnerable groups).…”