Developing Intercultural Competency among Undergraduate Students in the College of Allied Health and Nursing

This study examined intercultural competence (ICC) among a group of university undergraduate students who were early in their studies. Mareno & Hart (2014) noted that demographic patterns have shifted toward becoming more racially and ethnically diverse. Therefore, health care providers must be equipped to provide culturally competent care to patients. This study will help universities develop curriculum that fosters student development of their ICC. For this study, ICC was defined as the capability to accurately understand and adapt behavior to cultural difference and commonality (Hammer & Bennett, 2010). The study responded to these research questions: (1) What is the starting level of cultural competence among undergraduate students in the College of Allied Health and Nursing? (2) How does the intercultural competence of undergraduate students in the College of Allied Health and Nursing change during their experiences in general education classes? Data was collected using a computer-based, online inventory. Students enrolled in an introductory course completed the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), developed by Hammer and Bennett (1998, 2001). The IDI was based on Bennett’s Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (1986), which identified five orientations toward cultural differences: denial, polarization, minimization, acceptance, and adaptation. Investigators expect that the study may show that students’ ICC will grow over the period of a semester-long course when it is supplemented with cultural activities such as a mentor partnership with an international student. The results of this study will provide institutions with information about the level of ICC of their students and how those levels can be improved so their students are better equipped to help others in the futur

The Impact of an Introduction to Social Work Class on the Cultural Competency of Undergraduate Students in the College of Social and Behavioral Science at Minnesota State University, Mankato

The present study examined the development of intercultural competency (ICC) among a group of university students in an undergraduate course, Introduction to Social Work. Clemens (2016) found that after taking a semester-long undergraduate course, “Cultural Diversity Practice,” in a social work program increased student cultural competence scores significantly. Faculty members want to prepare students to use their cultural competence to further their professional capacity. Investigators considered (ICC) as “the capability to accurately understand and adapt behavior to cultural difference and commonality” (Hammer and Bennett, 2010). The study responded to this research question: How does the ICC of undergraduate students change during their experiences in the introduction to social work course? Investigators used the Intercultural Development Inventory, developed by Hammer and Bennett (1998, 2001), based on Bennett\u27s Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (1986), which identified five orientations toward cultural differences: denial, polarization, minimization, acceptance, and adaptation. Previously collected data from undergraduate students enrolled in a Human Relations course between 2010 and 2018 was used for comparison. Additional data was collected at the beginning and the conclusion of the 16-week course, introduction to social work, in order to measure changes that occurred possibly as a result of the course experiences. Researchers expect that the engagement in a culturally informative course will yield improved ICC scores for each participant. The results of this study will help determine the efficacy of teaching methods used by the instructors to develop ICC

U.S. public support for COVID-19 vaccine donation to low- and middle-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

As COVID-19 vaccines become available to the public, there will be a massive worldwide distribution effort. Vaccine distribution has historically been unequal primarily due to the inability of nations with developing economies to purchase enough vaccine to fully vaccinate their populations. Inequitable access to COVID-19 vaccines will not just cause humanitarian suffering, it will likely also be associated with increased economic suffering worldwide. This study focuses on the U.S. population and its beliefs about future COVID-19 vaccine donation by the U.S. to low- and middle-income countries. This study carried out a survey among 788 U.S. adults. Variables include demographics, COVID-19 vaccine priority status, COVID-19 vaccine donation beliefs, and Social Dominance Orientation. Analyses showed that older respondents were both less likely to endorse higher levels of COVID-19 vaccine donations and were more likely to want to wait until all in the U.S. who want the vaccine have received it; those who identified as Democrats were more likely to endorse higher levels of future COVID-19 vaccine donation than Republicans; and those scoring higher on SDO were both less likely to endorse higher levels of COVID-19 vaccine donations as well as more likely to want to wait until all in the U.S. who want the vaccine have received it. Policymakers, as well as healthcare providers and public health communication professionals, should give consideration to those messages most likely to engender support for global prevention efforts with each audience segment

Willingness to get the COVID-19 vaccine with and without emergency use authorization

Background This study assessed psychosocial predictors of U.S. adults’ willingness to get a future COVID-19 vaccine and whether these predictors differ under an emergency use authorization (EUA) release of the vaccine. Methods A survey of 788 U.S. adults was conducted to explore the relationships between demographics and psychosocial predictors of intent to get a future COVID-19 vaccine as well as willingness to get such a vaccine under EUA. Results Significant predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake intentions were education, having insurance, scoring high on subjective norms, a positive attitude toward the vaccine, as well as high perceived susceptibility to COVID-19, high perceived benefits of the vaccine, scoring low on barriers to the vaccine, and scoring high on self-efficacy. Predictors of willingness to take a COVID-19 vaccine under EUA were age, race/ethnicity, positive subjective norms, high perceived behavioral control, positive attitudes toward the vaccine, as well as high perceived susceptibility to COVID-19, high perceived benefits of the vaccine, low barriers to the vaccine, and scoring high on self-efficacy for getting the vaccine. Concerns about rushed vaccine development appear to reduce vaccine uptake intent, as well as willingness to get the vaccine under EUA. Conclusions COVID-19 vaccine-related messages should both address concerns about the vaccine and its development and reinforce benefits of the vaccine (both factors significant in both models). Vaccine efforts may need to go beyond just communications campaigns correcting misinformation about a COVID-19 vaccine to also focus on re-establishing public trust in government agencies

Willingness to get the COVID-19 vaccine with and without emergency use authorization.

BackgroundThis study assessed psychosocial predictors of U.S. adults' willingness to get a future COVID-19 vaccine and whether these predictors differ under an emergency use authorization (EUA) release of the vaccine.MethodsA survey of 788 U.S. adults was conducted to explore the relationships between demographics and psychosocial predictors of intent to get a future COVID-19 vaccine as well as willingness to get such a vaccine under EUA.ResultsSignificant predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake intentions were education, having insurance, scoring high on subjective norms, a positive attitude toward the vaccine, as well as high perceived susceptibility to COVID-19, high perceived benefits of the vaccine, scoring low on barriers to the vaccine, and scoring high on self-efficacy. Predictors of willingness to take a COVID-19 vaccine under EUA were age, race/ethnicity, positive subjective norms, high perceived behavioral control, positive attitudes toward the vaccine, as well as high perceived susceptibility to COVID-19, high perceived benefits of the vaccine, low barriers to the vaccine, and scoring high on self-efficacy for getting the vaccine. Concerns about rushed vaccine development appear to reduce vaccine uptake intent, as well as willingness to get the vaccine under EUA.ConclusionsCOVID-19 vaccine-related messages should both address concerns about the vaccine and its development and reinforce benefits of the vaccine (both factors significant in both models). Vaccine efforts may need to go beyond just communications campaigns correcting misinformation about a COVID-19 vaccine to also focus on re-establishing public trust in government agencies

Between Healthcare Practitioners and Clergy: Evangelicals and COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy.

Evangelical Christians are among the most hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine. This study examined the extent to which COVID-19 vaccination uptake among Evangelicals is explained by demographic characteristics, Health Belief Model constructs, and faith-based support factors. Survey research firm Qualtrics recruited 531 U.S. adults and conducted a survey to explore predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among people who self-identified as Evangelicals in September 2021. A logistic regression showed that those reporting high perceived benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine were more likely to be vaccinated, while those reporting high perceived barriers were less likely to be vaccinated. Those whose healthcare provider asked them about the vaccine were more likely to be vaccinated than those whose healthcare provider did not ask. Finally, while those who reported information seeking from religious leaders were less likely to be vaccinated, those who reported more faith-based support for vaccination were more likely to be vaccinated. In addition to beliefs about benefits and barriers to vaccination, the role of healthcare providers and clergy were important factors influencing vaccination status. Intervention efforts that capitalize on partnerships between health providers and clergy in supportive congregations may be able to reach undecided Evangelicals

Between Healthcare Practitioners and Clergy:Evangelicals and COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy

Evangelical Christians are among the most hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine. This study examined the extent to which COVID-19 vaccination uptake among Evangelicals is explained by demographic characteristics, Health Belief Model constructs, and faith-based support factors. Survey research firm Qualtrics recruited 531 U.S. adults and conducted a survey to explore predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among people who self-identified as Evangelicals in September 2021. A logistic regression showed that those reporting high perceived benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine were more likely to be vaccinated, while those reporting high perceived barriers were less likely to be vaccinated. Those whose healthcare provider asked them about the vaccine were more likely to be vaccinated than those whose healthcare provider did not ask. Finally, while those who reported information seeking from religious leaders were less likely to be vaccinated, those who reported more faith-based support for vaccination were more likely to be vaccinated. In addition to beliefs about benefits and barriers to vaccination, the role of healthcare providers and clergy were important factors influencing vaccination status. Intervention efforts that capitalize on partnerships between health providers and clergy in supportive congregations may be able to reach undecided Evangelicals