The Relationship between Gender and Attitudes toward Older Adults among Medical Science Students of Tehran City University

One of the most important factors affecting the quality of service to older adults is the attitude of health care providers. Given that studies show that people's attitudes may be influenced by gender, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between gender and attitudes toward the elderly of medical sciences students in Tehran City. This cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of 304 medical sciences students in Tehran city who were selected by a multi-stage random sampling technique in 2017. The Cogan Questionnaire (KAOP) was used to measure students' attitude toward older people. The statistical software SPSS version 23 was used to analyze data. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, and frequency; and inferential statistics such as Independent t-test and ANOVA were used. Out of 304 respondents, 36.5% were female and mean age of the respondents was 21.73 (SD = 3.37). The mean of attitude toward older people was found to be 127.47(SD = 13.21). The results of independent t-test showed that there was a significant difference between male and female students of health (t(71) = 3.24, P = 0.02) and nursing (t (98) = -2.07, P = 0.041). Another independent T test showed a significant difference between female and male students of medicine (t(129) = 1.39, P = 0.137) There is no elderly The findings from the current study showing different pattern of attitude toward older adults among medical sciences student, may have suggestions for educational intuitions and health providers.