Cultural Competency Training Impact on Medical Students at Makerere University, Eswatini: A Pre-Post Assessment Study

Cultural competency is crucial for medical professionals to provide effective care in culturally diverse settings such as Eswatini. Medical students at Makerere University are undergoing cultural competency training, but its impact on their performance has not been systematically evaluated. A mixed-methods approach involving a pre-post test design was employed to measure improvements in cultural competency. Quantitative data were collected through standardised tests assessing knowledge of different cultures, while qualitative feedback from student surveys provided insights into their experiences with the training. First-year medical students showed significant improvement in cultural competence scores post-training (mean increase of 25%). Qualitative analysis revealed that students felt more confident and better prepared to work with culturally diverse populations after completing the training. The findings suggest that structured cultural competency training can enhance medical students' performance in understanding and addressing cultural differences, which is essential for their future practice in Eswatini's healthcare system. Given the positive outcomes observed, it is recommended that all first-year medical students at Makerere University undergo a mandatory cultural competency training programme as part of their curriculum. Cultural Competency Training, Medical Students, Makerere University, Cultural Diversity, Pre-Post Assessment