Xenophobia levels among nurses and associated factors in Türkiye: a cross-sectional study

Xenophobia refers to negative attitudes and prejudices directed toward individuals perceived as foreigners. In countries hosting large migrant populations, such attitudes among healthcare professionals may affect communication, trust, and healthcare delivery for migrant patients. This study aimed to determine the level of xenophobia among a web-based sample of self-identified nurses from Türkiye and to examine differences in xenophobia scale scores according to selected sociodemographic and professional characteristics. This descriptive, cross-sectional, web-based survey study was conducted between January 13 and February 5, 2022, with 761 self-identified nurses employed in healthcare institutions in Türkiye. Participants were recruited through non-probability snowball sampling via social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, X/Twitter, and WhatsApp). Eligibility was based entirely on self-report and could not be independently verified. Data were collected anonymously using Google Forms. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, effect size calculations, and hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were performed. The mean Xenophobia Scale score was 51.42 ± 12.93 (possible range: 11–66). Female nurses had significantly higher xenophobia scores than male nurses ( p = .013), whereas nurses who identified as belonging to an ethnic minority group had significantly lower scores ( p = .002). Nurses with medium religiosity levels had significantly higher xenophobia scores than those with high religiosity levels ( p = .003). Nurses who believed that foreign patients brought new diseases, reported difficulty providing care to foreign patients, and preferred not to provide care to foreign patients had significantly higher xenophobia scores ( p < .05). In the regression analysis, ethnic minority status, absence of foreign social contact, belief that foreign patients bring new diseases, and perceived difficulty in providing care to foreign patients remained independently associated with xenophobia scores. Xenophobia scale scores differed according to several sociodemographic characteristics and migration-related care experiences. However, due to substantial methodological limitations, including non-probability sampling and self-reported online participation, findings should be interpreted cautiously and cannot be considered nationally representative.