Effects of an educational intervention on nursing students' attitudes towards gypsy women: A non-randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundThe cultural differences between health professionals and patients, together with the ethnocentric opinions that some health professionals sometimes hold, generate prejudice and negatively influence the experiences of these groups, for example, the Gypsy population. MethodsWe set up a quasi-experimental study to test the efficacy of an educational intervention among 40 nursing students in Spain based on the use of positive references in order to improve the students' attitude towards gypsy women receiving health care. Analysis of comparison of means and correlation analysis were carried out according to the type of variable compared. ResultsThe score in all the items that make up the Prejudicial Attitude Scale (PAT) decreased after the test, which demonstrated that their attitudes had become less prejudiced. The Stereotype Content Model (SCM), the perception of the outgroup and the stereotypes regarding the Roma population as “trustworthy” all improved showing a statistically significant difference between the periods (pre and post educational intervention). ConclusionNursing educators have the opportunity, through theoretical and practical exposure to positive references, to explore the students' experience and perceptions, analyze interventions and change their perceptions of threat, thus contributing to a more inclusive group identity.