Abstract

Objective: To assess the level of nursing students’ knowledge and attitude toward dementia, and identify some factors related to this knowledge and attitude toward dementia. Methodology: A descriptive cross- sectional design was conducted among 290 nursing students at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Results: Students have relatively low knowledge (10.85 ± 2.87) but have a positive attitude toward dementia (91.74 ± 11.74). There was a relationship between age, academic year, ethnicity, experience in accessing information about dementia, geriatric nursing education and dementia, caring for older adults, interest in dementia and intention to work in a geriatric hospital with students’ knowledge (p<0.05). Factors related to students’ attitudes include experience in accessing information about dementia, interest in dementia, intention to work in a geriatric hospital, and dementia training needs (p<0.05). Conclusion: It is necessary to strengthen training programs in dementia care to improve the knowledge of nursing students about dementia.