J Prof Nurs . 2026 Jan-Feb Undergraduate nursing students' knowledge and attitudes toward dementia by country income level

This meta-analysis synthesizes global research to assess how prepared undergraduate nurses are to manage the growing challenges of cognitive decline. By evaluating data from various international studies, the researchers discovered that students generally possess only a moderate level of proficiency and a neutral-to-positive disposition toward dementia patients. A critical finding of the report is the geographic disparity in education, as students in wealthier nations consistently outperformed those in lower-income regions. Ultimately, the study serves as a call to action for educators to standardize and strengthen dementia curricula to ensure higher quality care across the globe.