NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ946573
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1499-4046
EISSN: N/A
A Quantitative Assessment of the Cultural Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences of Junior and Senior Dietetics Students
McArthur, Laura H.; Greathouse, Karen R.; Smith, Erskine R.; Holbert, Donald
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, v43 n6 p464-472 Nov-Dec 2011
Objective: To assess the cultural competence of dietetics majors. Design: Self-administered questionnaire. Setting: Classrooms at 7 universities. Participants: Two hundred eighty-three students--98 juniors (34.6%) and 185 seniors (65.4%)--recruited during class time. Main Outcome Measures: Knowledge was measured using a multiple-choice test, attitudes were assessed using scales, and experiences were measured using a list of activities. Analysis: Descriptive statistics were obtained on all variables. Correlation analyses identified associations between competencies. Statistical significance was P less than 0.05. Results: Knowledge scores were highest on questions concerning food habits and lowest on questions concerning health beliefs. Approximately 45% of the students preferred to counsel clients from their own culture. A majority (89.2%) favored allocation of nutrition resources to assist culturally diverse clients in managing chronic diseases, and 65.7% favored the inclusion of more cultural information in their dietetics curriculum. The intercultural activities engaged in most often were eating ethnic food and watching films about other cultures, whereas those undertaken least often were completing a study abroad program or an internship abroad. Conclusions and Implications: These students would benefit from more interactive intercultural learning opportunities to enhance their knowledge base and communication skills. (Contains 3 tables.)
Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: usjcs@elsevier.com; Web site: http://www.elsevier.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A