Comparison of knowledge of and attitudes toward dementia between health-related and non-health-related university students

Abstract

[Purpose] This study compared the knowledge of and attitudes toward dementia between health-related and non-health-related students. [Subjects] The subjects consisted of a total of 416 people, 213 health-related students and 203 non-health-related students, at K University, which is located in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea, between May 1 and 14, 2014. [Methods] The subjects answered a self-administered questionnaire about their knowledge of and attitudes toward dementia. [Results] There was a significant difference in knowledge of and attitudes toward dementia between the two groups examined. [Conclusion] Health-related students displayed higher knowledge of dementia and a more positive attitude toward dementia compared with non-health-related students. In the future, education to cultivate professional knowledge about dementia and enhance positive attitudes toward dementia should be provided continuously to health-related students. This is because students in health-related fields will likely provide services to patients with dementia in the clinical field. Additionally, as they will likely provide support to the elderly in the future, non-health-related students also need to be educated about and develop positive attitudes toward dementia.

Effects of attachment to and participation in the community on motivation to participate in dementia prevention and support activities: analysis of Web survey data

“…Activities that increase awareness of dementia have been encouraged to promote social inclusion for people with dementia. Previous studies have reported that these activities have had positive effects on the inclusion of people with dementia, as well as on the frequency of contact with individuals with dementia and the public's knowledge of dementia . Knowledge has also been reported to decrease stigma, which could lead to social acceptance of dementia .…”

“…Previous studies have reported that these activities have had positive effects on the inclusion of people with dementia, as well as on the frequency of contact with individuals with dementia and the public's knowledge of dementia. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Knowledge has also been reported to decrease stigma, which could lead to social acceptance of dementia. 10 However, some studies have shown that knowledge does not always lead to acceptance, and further promotion of activities that increase awareness is encouraged.…”

Comparison of attitudes towards persons with dementia, knowledge of dementia and ageism amongst students in Taiwan and Japan: A cross‐sectional study

“…A previous study on community health professionals in China demonstrated a moderate correlation between knowledge and attitude regarding dementia ( r = .379, P < .001) . University students in a health‐related field of study demonstrated higher knowledge than their counterparts who were in a non‐health‐related field of study . However, an Indian nursing student had a positive attitude despite having inadequate knowledge on dementia .…”

Dementia Knowledge among Kuwait University Students: a Descriptive Study

“…The results of this study demonstrated that health-related students had greater knowledge and more positive attitudes toward dementia compared to non-health-related students. The dementia knowledge scores of health-related students were significantly higher than those of non-health-related students [5]. Only one study in the Middle East, which focused on the attitude of medical students toward old people in Ajman, United Arab Emirates was found.…”

“…of care that was provided for dementia patients [5,6]. A review of research specifically focusing on college and university students among various countries was conducted to address the gaps of knowledge about dementia among the students.…”