Published online Oct 6, 2022. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i28.10097
Peer-review started: June 3, 2022
First decision: June 16, 2022
Revised: June 27, 2022
Accepted: August 21, 2022
Article in press: August 21, 2022
Published online: October 6, 2022
Processing time: 115 Days and 23.5 Hours
Dementia is a severe neurological and psychological disease that occurs in older adults worldwide. The knowledge and attitude of medical-vocational college students play an important role in supporting primary healthcare systems.
To investigate the level of knowledge, contact experience, and attitudes toward dementia among medical-vocational college students in China.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted, and 3-year medical and medical-related students from eight vocational colleges in Anhui province were recruited. The contact experience, attitudes, and knowledge level of students toward dementia were assessed using a questionnaire designed according to the Chinese version of the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS).
A total of 2444 medical and medical-related students completed the survey, of whom 86.7% of respondents had interests and concerns regarding Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and 29.2% of respondents had experiences of contact with dementia patients. Overall attitudes toward dementia were negative. Only 35.4% of stu
Dementia-related knowledge of medical-vocational college students was at a medium level, and their overall attitudes toward dementia were negative.
Core Tip: Chinese medical-vocational college students mainly work in primary healthcare systems following graduation and have significant opportunities to have contact with dementia patients and their family members. The present study aimed to examine the contact experience, attitudes, and knowledge level of medical-vocational college students toward dementia. Results showed that dementia-related knowledge was at a medium level among medical-vocational college students, and their willingness to provide care for Alzheimer’s disease was low. Moreover, students held negative attitudes toward dementia patients.