Knowledge, skill, and awareness of physiotherapists on cultural competence in southwest Nigeria

Abstract Background Physiotherapists need to be culturally competent to provide effective services to healthcare users of diverse cultures. Here, we investigated the association between selected sociodemographic characteristics and the knowledge, skills, and awareness of cultural competence among physiotherapists in southwest Nigeria. Additionally, we examined sociodemographic variables that predict cultural competence. Methods This study was cross-sectional in design. We employed a multistage sampling technique to recruit physiotherapists ( n = 188) in southwest Nigeria who completed the Cultural Competence Self-Assessment Checklist of the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society. We tested associations between sociodemographic variables and cultural competence with chi-square tests, while we determined predictors of cultural competence using logistic regression. The statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results We found a significant association between cultural competence skills and the level of education indicated by greater scores in cultural competence skills by physiotherapists with a bachelor’s or PhD degree than those with a master’s degree. Prediction models showed that specialized physiotherapists and those with either a bachelor’s or PhD degree had higher odds of being classified as having good cultural competence knowledge than rotational physiotherapists or those with a master’s degree, respectively. Conversely, physiotherapists specializing in orthopedics, musculoskeletal, or sports had lower odds of being classified as having good cultural competence awareness. Greater years of experience increased the odds of being classified as having good skills in cultural competence. However, holding a master’s degree lowered the odds of being classified as having good cultural competence skills compared to those with a bachelor’s or PhD degree. Conclusion The level of physiotherapists’ education is associated with cultural competence skills. However, specialization, level of education, and years of experience are important predictors of knowledge, awareness, and skill in cultural competence. Our findings suggest that continued professional education and specialization training may be beneficial in improving the cultural competence of physiotherapists.