Attitudes and Stigma toward Dementia among Medical and Environmental Health Students at the School of Health and Medical Sciences at the State University of Zanzibar

Introduction: Public stigma involves negative stereotypes of dementia patients as burdensome, leading to social distancing, while self-stigma refers to individuals with dementia internalizing these views, affecting their mental well-being. Structural stigma encompasses systemic barriers, including insufficient healthcare policies and resources. The role of medical students in shaping attitudes toward dementia is noteworthy, as they may hold negative perceptions that can impact the quality of patient care. Objective: To assess attitudes and stigma about dementia among medical and environmental health students at the State University of Zanzibar. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to assess dementia-related attitudes and stigma among Medical and Environmental Health Students. Results: The sample size was 150 students, 100% responded to the questionnaire. (e.g., 76.7% would live with a family member with dementia and 86.0% disagreed with feeling ashamed if a family member had dementia.). A significant proportion exhibited high levels of stigma (Notably, 64.7% strongly agreed they would not want their family to know if they had dementia), particularly regarding social distancing and family shame. Discussion: Most students demonstrated positive attitudes overall, but a significant proportion exhibited high levels of stigma. Approximately 80% of students are not afraid to engage in conversations with someone who has dementia. There was a discrepancy between positive attitudes and harmful societal behaviours, such as avoidance and isolation. Conclusion: The majority of participants in this study displayed a positive attitude toward dementia. However, some negative attitudes, including discrimination and social isolation, remain prevalent. These attitudes, such as avoidance, may hinder early diagnosis and impede access to adequate treatment for individuals with dementia. The findings highlight a notable presence of stigma: many students indicated they would prefer that their family did not know if they had dementia, even as an important subgroup is upset with the idea that time spent with dementia.