| مستخلص: |
The increasing aging population globally has clearly led to a significant rise in the prevalence of dementia. Undergraduate nursing students are poised to play a pivotal role in the care of people with dementia (PwD), as the next generation of healthcare providers. The purpose of this study was to (1) investigate knowledge and attitudes regarding dementia of undergraduate nursing students and determine related factors, and (2) determine the dementia issues on which they lack knowledge about. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 645 undergraduate nursing students in Turkiye. Data was collected with the descriptive characteristics form, dementia knowledge assessment scale (DKAS), and dementia attitudes scale (DAS). Descriptive statistics and multiple regression were used for data analysis. The DKAS and DAS mean score of the students were 15.45 ± 5.94 (range: 0–29), and 94.05 ± 12.10 (range: 55–134), respectively. Students were found to lack knowledge regarding treatment, etiology, communication, and symptoms of dementia. The total score of DKAS was predicted by sex (β = .151, p < .001), completion of a geriatric nursing course (β= .266, <.001), and prior experience of caring for a PwD (β= .165, <.001). Sex (β= .107, <.001) and total scores of DKAS (β= .202, <.001) predicted the total scores of DAS. Awareness of dementia was not very high among the nursing students, and their attitudes toward the condition were moderate. To effectively address the specific areas of deficiency identified in the DKAS, educational strategies should be tailored to improving the knowledge about dementia. This approach is essential for fostering more positive attitudes, and has the potential to contribute to better care for PwD in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |