Dementia literacy among nursing students in China: A multi-site cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background China has the largest population of people living with dementia in the world. By 2050, the number in China is projected to increase to 35.98 million. Health professionals play a significant role in the continuum care of dementia and nursing students are the major group caring people living with dementia in the future. The study aimed to investigate the knowledge level of dementia of Chinese nursing students and to explore the related factors of knowledge about dementia. Findings from this study will provide evidence for the development of dementia education programs for nursing students. Methods This was a descriptive multi-site cross-sectional study. A total of 958 nursing students from 15 provinces in China participated in this study. The sample was investigated with demographic characteristics and dementia knowledge. The data of dementia knowledge were collected by using 11-item questionnaires with true or false responses. Factors correlated with dementia knowledge score were also explored. Results The mean score of Chinese nursing students’ dementia knowledge was 8.09 ± 1.44 points out of a total of 11 (73.5%). The dimension of the symptoms of dementia was scored the highest level. And nursing students scored the lowest scores on dementia treatment and care. The level of dementia knowledge was significantly associated with gender (P < 0.001), age (P = 0.03) and education (P < 0.01). For research higher degree nursing students, whether students need to publish journal articles could impact the score the dementia knowledge (P = 0.01). Conclusions The study explored the level of dementia knowledge of Chinese nursing students. Policy makers and educators should incorporate the education and clinical practice of dementia care into the curriculum of nursing students, which can improve their knowledge level of dementia.