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. 2025 May 28;24(1):606.
doi: 10.1186/s12912-025-03268-6.

Spiritual care competence and associated factors among nurses: a multi-center cross-sectional study

Yalemwork Getahun Azanaw  1 , Ashenafi Worku Woretaw  2 , Tiruye Azene  2 , Desalegn Getachew Ayele  2 , Tsehayu Melak Siyoum  3 , Tizita Gebeyehu  2 , Kalkidan Bazezew  2 , Kassye Ahmed Zeleke  3 , Esayas Alemsht  2 , Sintayehu Simie Tsega  4 , Melkamu Tilahun Dessie  5 , Ashenafi Fekad Getahun  3 , Astewil Moges Bazezew  2
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Spiritual care competence and associated factors among nurses: a multi-center cross-sectional study

Yalemwork Getahun Azanaw et al. BMC Nurs. .

Abstract

Background: Spiritual care competence among nurses is a crucial aspect of delivering holistic care to patients. Although conducting a study on the Spiritual Care Competence Scale (SCCS) of nurses not only contributes to the improvement of patient care but also provides valuable insights for the continuous development of healthcare professionals and the enhancement of healthcare services, it has been observed to receive comparatively less attention in recognizing its importance. The study aimed to assess the level of nurses' Spiritual Care Competence Scale and associated factors in Northwest Amhara Regional State Referral Hospitals, Northwest, Ethiopia, 2024.

Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 15, 2023, to January 15, 2024, in Northwest Amhara Regional State Referral Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 460 study participants. A self-administered questionnaire was undertaken to gather the data. Epi Info 7.2.1 was used to code the datasets, and SPSS version 25 was used for analysis. The researchers carried out bivariate and multivariable linear regression analyses to identify factors associated with spiritual care competence. The significance level was obtained at 95% CI and p-value < 0.05.

Results: The mean spiritual care competence score among nurses was 3.45 ± 0.67 (95% CI: 3.39, 3.51) with a response rate of 97.2%. Factor analysis revealed significant associations between spiritual care competence and variables such as sex, working unit, training, and the current role of nurses.

Conclusions: Nurses' competence in spiritual care was found to be moderate, influenced by factors such as sex, workplace, current professional position, and level of training. These findings highlight the need for targeted training and ongoing support from spiritual care professionals to enhance nurses' competency. Healthcare policymakers and administrators should prioritize spiritual care competence. Head nurses should implement flexible schedules to address the challenges of a stressful work environment. Additionally, further research, particularly in private clinics, is essential to deepen understanding in this area.

Keywords: Ethiopia; Nurses; Spiritual care competence.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study adhered to the principles of the Helsinki Declaration and received ethical clearance (Reference No: S/N/650/6/2016 E.C.) from the Research and Ethical Review Committee at the University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences. Prior to participant recruitment, official cooperation letters were sent to hospital administration offices, and written informed consent was obtained from each participant after university approval. The study ensured confidentiality by not recording personal identification, and participating nurses were informed about the study’s purpose, requiring 10–15 min for questionnaire completion. All methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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