Knowledge of Ageing, Attitude towards and Willingness to Work with Older People among Malaysian Undergraduate Nursing Students

Abstract

Background: Nursing students are the future care providers for the aged population. Thus, they need to be prepared for quality care delivery during their study period at universities or colleges. Objectives: This study aims to determine undergraduate nursing students’ knowledge of ageing, attitudes towards older people and willingness to work with older people. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 141 undergraduate nursing students in a public university in Malaysia. Knowledge of ageing, attitudes towards older people and willingness to work with older people were assessed using standardised tools, namely the Palmore Facts on Aging Quiz, Kogan's Attitudes towards Older People Scale and Nolan's Intent to Work with Older People Questionnaire, respectively. Results: The results showed that 83.7% and 85.8% of the participants had high knowledge of ageing and willingness to work with older people, respectively. Meanwhile, 90.1% of the participants had a negative attitude towards older people. The attitude towards older people and knowledge of ageing were significantly associated with willingness to work with older people. Knowledge of ageing has no significant association with the attitude towards older people. Similarly, there was no significant association between demographic characteristics and knowledge of ageing, attitudes towards older adults and willingness to work with older people. Conclusion: Gerontological nursing education should emphasise clinical experience with older people, specifically in geriatric wards or nursing homes, to create a more positive attitudes towards older adults.