Conocimiento del Alzheimer en estudiantes de enfermería y medicina de la Universidad Católica de Cuenca

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative neurological condition that affects over 46 million people worldwide, primarily found in older adults, demonstrating severe impairment in the patient's memory and activities. A good knowledge of AD is essential to provide proper care and assistance throughout the patients' lives. Objective: To determine the knowledge of Alzheimer's disease among nursing and medicine students at the Catholic University of Cuenca. Methodology: This study had a quantitative approach; the sample comprised 300 nursing students. Sociodemographic variables were collected, and the "Knowledge of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia" was used as an instrument for subsequent statistical analysis. Results: Most participants were female (70%), single (92%), of mixed ethnicity (97%), with an average age of 21 years, and from urban areas (87%). There was an even distribution between Medicine and Nursing, with no significant differences in the level of knowledge. The scale used revealed acceptable reliability (McDonald's ω = .97). Conclusions: There is an excellent overall knowledge of the disease, although differences were observed in specific dimensions of knowledge. Additionally, high reliability of the instrument used was found, reinforcing the validity of the research.