Community Health Physicians' and Nurses' Dementia Knowledge and Attitudes: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Turkiye.

Abstract

Purpose: Community health physicians and nurses are pivotal in the prevention, detection, and management of dementia, particularly as its prevalence continues to rise globally. This study aims to assess community health physicians' and nurses' dementia knowledge and attitudes, as well as the associated factors.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Methods: A survey was conducted with 146 participants, including 103 nurses and 43 physicians, . The research tools were the demographic characteristics form, dementia knowledge assessment scale (DKAS), and dementia attitudes scale (DAS). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis.

Findings: Mean score on the DKAS was 16.53 ± 6.24 (min: 0 point, max: 30 points) out of 34 and DAS was 96.23 ± 15.72 (min: 12 points, max: 120 points) out of 140. The total score of DKAS was positively predicted by being a physician, having prior education about dementia, and having experience with caring for people with dementia (PwD). These variables accounted for 35.4% of the total variance of DKAS (F: 8.292, R2 : 0.354, p < 0.001). Age and total scores of DKAS predicted the total scores of DAS. These variables accounted for 25.2% of the total variance of DAS (F: 4.553, R2 : 0.252, p < 0.001).

Conclusions: While community health physicians and nurses lack comprehensive knowledge about dementia, their positive attitudes present an opportunity for improvement.

Clinical evidence: It is crucial to foster community health professionals' dementia knowledge, as well as more positive attitudes toward PwD, in order to enhance the quality of care provided in primary care settings.