A STUDY OF COR COMPETENCE IN INTEGRATION OF GENDER MAINSTREAMING TO THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING PRACTICE IN TAIWAN THROUGH FOCUS GROUP METHOD

Yueh-Chin Chung, Ph. D*

ABSTRACT

Objectives: This study is the first in Taiwan that includes gender mainstreaming skills index in the community nursing practice course. The purpose of this study use to focus group method and correlation research design were adopted to develop core competence of integration of gender mainstreaming into community health care practice. Methods: This study referred to the World Health Organization (WHO) Gender Responsive Assessment Scale, a set of criteria for assessing programs and policies scale. Focus group method was used to invite 13 experts to come up with a common evaluation and draw up the framework of core competence for gender mainstreaming in the community nursing practice, which includes eight competence innovations and 29 ability guidance. This study was conducted on fourth year students from the fourth- and second-grade nursing department of a private science and technology university. A total of 100 cross-sectional survey questionnaires were sent out, and 100 were effective, resulting in a 100% response rate. Results: Overall ratings of student nurses and teachers in their gender mainstreaming competence were consistent with each other (mean value 4.07±.42 versus mean value 4.04±.24). No significant difference was observed between the practice of gender mainstreaming competence score of student nurses and that of teachers. Dimensions of student nurses and teachers in their core competence of integrating gender mainstreaming into the community nursing practice are listed from high to low as follows: diligence, concern, communication and cooperation, concept of gender mainstreaming, accomplishment of law and ethics, lifelong learning, general clinical nursing skills, critical thinking, and basic biomedical science. Conclusions: The feasibility scale of the gender mainstreaming competence index for community nursing practice of the intern students can be promoted to nursing courses in Taiwan.

Keywords: Gender mainstreaming, competence indicator, community nursing practice, focus group method.