Original scientific paper
THE IMPACT OF KNOWLEDGE ON THE FORMATION OF ATTITUDES TOWARDS AGEING AND THE ELDERLY AMONG STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SPLIT
IRIS JERONČIĆ TOMIĆ
orcid.org/0000-0002-1510-4000
; University of Split, School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
MIA BRITVIĆ
orcid.org/0000-0002-9971-9730
; University of Split, School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
NANCY POLJAK
; University of Split, School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
ROSANDA MULIĆ
orcid.org/0000-0003-3334-9658
; University of Split, School of Medicine, Split; University of Split, Faculty of Maritime Studies, Split, Croatia
Abstract
Introduction: With the global trend of increasing ageing of the population, there is a corresponding increase in the health problems associated with elderly population. Older people need ever more health services. According to the research, the factors that infl uence health care practice of the health workers for the elderly in geriatric hospitals included knowledge, attitude, and gerontologic education. The aim of this study was to determine whether education in gerontology affects attitude towards ageing and the elderly among students at the University of Split. An additional objective was to determine the extent to which the student socio-demographic status (age, sex, domicile), different education and experience of living with the elderly affect their attitude towards ageing and the elderly. Subjects and Methods: The population included in this study consisted of 301 students of the University of Split, 153 of whom attended the Faculty of Maritime Studies and 148 the School of Medicine. The research was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire, during the period from December 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021. A total of 45 students had attended training in gerontology, while 265 had none. Information was collected through a questionnaire that consisted of 3 parts: one investigating their socio-demographic characteristics, another one looking into their attitudes towards the elderly (the Kogan score scale), and Palmer’s competence test. Results: A difference in attitude was observed between students who had undergone training in gerontology compared to those who had none. Socio-demographic factors, different education and the experience of living with the elderly also affected student attitudes. Overall, the School of Medicine students had a more positive attitude than those of the Faculty of Maritime Studies. The level of statistical signifi cance was set at p<0.05. Conclusion: Education in gerontology helps form a more positive attitude towards the elderly among students, meaning that educational programs should be changed with the aim of reducing stigmatization of the elderly.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
280163
URI
Publication date:
7.7.2022.
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