Political Efficacy and Political Participation among Nurses in Tertiary Hospitals, the Republic of Kenya

Caleb Kitagwa Ahoya , Kulwadee

Abstract

Nurses are health professionals with first-hand knowledge and expertise to influence health policy. This correlational descriptive study aimed to determine political efficacy, political participation and the relationship between political efficacy and political participation among nurses at the tertiary level hospitals, the Republic of Kenya. The sample consisted of 347 nurses from two tertiary level hospitals, selected using the stratified random sampling method. Research instruments were the Demographic data form, the Political Efficacy (PE) Scale, and the Political Participation (PP) Scale. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of both the PE and PP Scales were 0.82. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient. The results revealed that the overall scores for PE and PP were at moderate levels. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between PP and PE. The study results can be used by nurse administrators to develop strategies to improve nurse’s political efficacy and political participation.