Knowledge and Attitude of Nursing Students at King Abdulaziz University Regarding Down Syndrome

Abstract

Context: Down syndrome (DS) is a disorder that occurs as a result of an individual having an additional chromosome that leads to several mental and physical development issues. This syndrome brings importance to the need for nurses who have an advanced knowledge regarding Down syndrome and know how to deal with it to improve their quality of life. However, limited research has been conducted to assess future nurses' knowledge and attitudes toward Down syndrome.

Aim: This study aims to assess the level of knowledge and attitude of nursing students at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) regarding Down syndrome.

Methods: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional research design was used, with an online knowledge assessment questionnaire. A purposive sample comprising 249 nursing students at the KAU Faculty of Nursing was recruited for this study.

Results: 143(57.4%) students had a high level of knowledge about Down syndrome, and 210(84.3%) had a positive attitude toward Down syndrome. High knowledge was found to be high among fourth-year students (58, 70.7%) and students aged 21 and above (105, 65.6%).

Conclusion: The study found that nursing students at the Faculty of Nursing, KAU, have strong knowledge and positive attitudes towards Down syndrome, indicating that future healthcare professionals have the potential to improve the quality of care for patients with DS. This study recommends developing targeted workshops that are enjoyable and educational, focusing on the management, prenatal screening, and social incorporation of DS content.