Interest in medical health care for foreign residents among Japanese nursing students in areas of varying ethnic diversity

Background: Exposure of nursing students to foreign residents may improve cultural understanding. Nursing students are expected to have differing rates of contact with foreign residents, depending on how many foreign residents live in their municipality where they study in. Those in areas densely populated by foreign residents are more likely to encounter foreigners, and to have favorable views of them than students in areas with sparser foreign-resident populations. As of 2015, 2.23 million foreign residents lived in Japan, equaling 1.76% of the population; however, Japan still has fewer foreign-born residents compared to other countries. Therefore, interest in Medical Health Care for Foreign Residents (MHCFR) may be greater in students in ethnically diverse areas. While nursing students may have different levels of recognition of foreign nationals as potential clients and interest in MHCFR, no research validates this assumption. Objectives: This study aimed to clarify the association between proximity to foreign nationals and interest in MHCFR among Japanese nursing students. The secondary purpose was to describe knowledge and interest regarding MHCFR among students. To elucidate these topics, education and development of human resources in MHCFR should be considered. Research design and method: The study design was cross-sectional. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted with 143 nursing students. Results: Most students understood the likelihood of providing nursing care to foreigners; however, knowledge and interest were low, regardless of whether lectures on MHCFR were provided. Knowledge of MHCFR, recognition of providing care to foreign nationals, and level of contact experiences with foreign nationals were significantly associated with students' level of interest in MHCFR. Discussion: Nursing students in ethnically diverse areas tend to show greater interest in MHCFR in Japan. To foster global health perspectives, including MHCFR, in nursing students studying in ethnically diverse areas, contact experiences with foreigners and acceptance of international students by universities might be effective.