RESUMO
Nowadays, nurses are an essential part of the health care team involved in the care of older people. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge about aging process and attitude toward older people among staff nurses of hospitals affiliated to the Kerman University of Medical Sciences in 2006. In this descriptive analytical study, all of the nurses, working in Kerman University of medical sciences hospitals were selected to participate in the study. Data collection instrument was an investigator-made questionnaire that its validity and reliability was established. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 11.5. Findings showed that the mean [ +/- SD] duration of working experience of the participants' was 11.19 [ +/- 5.58]. Also, 70.2% reported having no previous experience of living with older people. The participant acquired 54% and 88.72% of the score of the knowledge and attitude, respectively. In overall, nurses had positive attitude toward older people. There wasn't found statistically significant relationship between knowledge and attitude scores. The findings of thi study support the findings of the previous studies showing that there is knowledge deficit among staff nurses regarding aging process and normal changes of aging. Such knowledge deficit may be rectified through formal and continuing education, thereby, increase nurses' understanding of aged people needs. Otherwise, older people in long-term care centers would be in danger of being victims of inaccurate nursing cares