An Education Initiative to Reduce Stigma Towards Sex Workers and Sexual Minorities Among Nursing Students

An Education Initiative to Reduce Stigma Towards Sex Workers and Sexual Minorities Among Nursing Students: a Pilot Study

Background: Sex workers and sexual minorities (SWSM) often encounter barriers when accessing healthcare services due to social stigma and discrimination. In Hong Kong, stigma and prejudice exist among nurses and nursing students toward SWSM.

Aims: This education initiative aims to improve the knowledge, attitudes, and clinical competence of nursing students in caring for SWSM.

Methods: This pilot study will employ a one-group pre-and post-test design. Convenience sampling will be used to recruit 32 nursing students from the clinical phase of the Bachelor of Nursing program at the School of Nursing and Health Studies of Hong Kong Metropolitan University, as well as nursing students from other local universities. The intervention will consist of a four-session one-day workshop based on social cognitive theory and interpersonal contact theory. The workshop will cover various topics, including terminologies, human rights, stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings, contact with SWSM, and skills building. The primary outcome measure will include participants' attitudes toward SWSM. Secondary outcome measures included their knowledge and clinical competence. These outcome measurements will be assessed at baseline (T0) and immediately after the intervention (T1) and two months follow up (T2). Additionally, focus group discussions will be carried out to explore participants' experiences of the intervention.

Discussion: Findings from this study could contribute to the existing knowledge on stigma surrounding SWSM in Hong Kong and its impact on healthcare. The intervention is expected to increase the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of nursing students in providing care for SWSM. By promoting non-judgmental and equitable care, the research aims to contribute to the overall well-being and health outcomes of SWSM. These results will inform future nursing education curricula and clinical practice, facilitating the development of more inclusive and patient-centered care for marginalized populations in Hong Kong and beyond.

Inclusion Criteria:

• aged 18 years of age or above;
• studying in the clinical phase (i.e., year 3 to year 5);
• are able to speak, read, and write Cantonese or Putonghua;
• are willing to participate in the study and share their experience of the education initiative with the research group;
• have informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Those who have completed a similar workshop or discussion of sex workers and sexual minorities in previous nursing education will be excluded from this study.