Levels of cultural competency and associated factors among midwives in Western Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Introduction The World Health Organization has emphasized the significance of cultural competency of midwives to advance the quality of maternal health care services in a culturally diversified community. Cultural competency is declared in the Global Midwifery policy as a critical tactic for improving the quality and accessibility of maternal and child healthcare services. Method A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 783 midwives working in western Ethiopia, which makes an 89% participation rate. Convenience sampling was employed. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. To evaluate the association of the covariate with an outcome, proportional ordinal logistic regression was run. Result Among 875 midwives working in western Ethiopia, 783 (89%) participated in this study. The descriptive analysis showed that 19% (16, 26) demonstrated a high level of cultural competency, and 47% demonstrated a low level of cultural competency. Significantly associated factors were working at a referral hospital [odds ratios: 3.94 (2.3, 6.56)], CRC trained [odds ratios: 7.16 (4.86, 10.65)], caseload [odds ratios: 2.67 (1.86, 3.89)], master’s degree holders and above [odds ratios: 2.04 (1.24, 3.35)], and ten years of work experience and above [odds ratios: 5.15 (2.95, 9.04)], respectively. Conclusion Even though the World Health Organization recommended cultural competency to improve maternal health care services, only 19% of midwives demonstrated a high level of cultural competency, while 80% demonstrated a low-to-medium level. Thus, there is a need for strengthening compassionate, respectful care training; advancing the educational level of midwives; and employee retention, as those factors are identified as significantly associated with the levels of cultural competency among the midwives in this study.