Knowledge and Attitude towards Ageing among Health Science University Students

Authors

  • Devender Kaur Ajit Singh
  • Ponnusamy Subramaniam
  • Nor Najwatul Akmal Ab.Rahman
  • Fatima Zahra Rusly
  • Shazli Ezzat Ghazali

Keywords:

Attitudes, Beliefs, Knowledge, Older adults, Undergraduates

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Health Science graduates are increasingly in demand for improving and providing life services among the ageing population. Having substantial knowledge and positive attitude towards ageing will be a key step towards better care giving. However, to date there is limited published
literature regarding knowledge and attitude towards ageing among health science students in Malaysia. The objective of our study was to assess knowledge and attitudes towards ageing among health science students.
METHODOLOGY: A total of 786 (120 male, 666 female) health science undergraduates participated in this study. This cross-sectional study was conducted using Palmore’s Facts on Aging Quiz I (FAQ I) and Kogan’s Attitudes towards Older People (KAOP) to assess knowledge of ageing and attitudes towards
older adults respectively.
RESULTS: Majority of students in clinical (69.6%) and non-clinical programmes (65.6%) showed moderate knowledge towards ageing. More than two-third of students in clinical (77.2%) and non-clinical programs (75.8%) demonstrated a slightly positive attitude towards ageing. A significant moderate
positive correlation (r=.308, p< 0.05) was found between knowledge of ageing and attitudes towards older adults. Clinical type of programme (t = -1.97, p <0 .05) and Malay ethnicity (t = 2.37, p < 0.001) were significant factors that influenced both knowledge and attitudes towards ageing.
CONCLUSION: Health science students demonstrated a moderate knowledge and positive attitude towards ageing. Refining the current geriatric care curriculum with integration of experiential learning may further enhance knowledge and attitude towards ageing in health science students.

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Published

2019-04-08

How to Cite

1.
Singh DKA, Subramaniam P, Ab.Rahman NNA, Rusly FZ, Ghazali SE. Knowledge and Attitude towards Ageing among Health Science University Students. J Liaq Uni Med Health Sci [Internet]. 2019 Apr. 8 [cited 2024 May 1];17(01):36-41. Available from: http://ojs.lumhs.edu.pk/index.php/jlumhs/article/view/46

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 01 (2018): Journal Of Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences

Section

Original Articles

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