Assessing the Cross Cultural Competence among Nurses Working in Iloilo

Abstract

As Iloilo becomes increasingly diverse, culturally competent nursing care is essential to meet the needs of varied patient populations. This study assessed
the cross-cultural competence of registered nurses in Iloilo using a descriptive quantitative design. Conducted in 2025, it involved 190 purposively and snowballsampled participants from both urban and suburban hospitals. Data were analyzed using statistical methods and the Cross-Cultural Competence instrument for
Healthcare Professionals (CCCHP-27), which measures six subscales: Attitudes, Emotion and Empathy, Knowledge and Awareness, Motivation and Curiosity,
Skills, and Social Desirability. Results showed high overall cross-cultural competence, particularly in Motivation and Curiosity, Skills, and Social Desirability.
Urban nurses scored significantly higher in Motivation and Curiosity, likely due to greater exposure to diverse patients and access to multicultural experiences.
However, there were no statistically significant differences in overall competence based on age, sex, work experience, hospital location, or international travel.
Although travel experience did not significantly impact competence, nurses showed high levels of empathy and attitudinal awareness rooted in Filipino values and
community-based training. These findings underscore the need to strengthen specific aspects of cultural education to further enhance cross-cultural competence
among nurses in Iloilo.