Dementia refers to a group of illnesses that impact memory, other cognitive functions, and behavior and greatly impair a person's ability to carry out daily tasks (World Health Organization [WHO], 2022). Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia, causing at least two-thirds of dementia cases in persons 65 and older. Alzheimer's disease is a neurological condition that slowly impairs cognitive and behavioral abilities such as memory, understanding, language, attention, thinking, and judgment (Anil Kumar et al., 2022). Alzheimer's disease cannot be cured, although there are therapies that could lessen some of the symptoms. Depending on the stage of the illness, Alzheimer's symptoms can vary. According to the severity of cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease is divided into three stages: preclinical or pre- symptomatic, mild, and dementia-stage.
According to prevalence surveys, dementia is a common disorder in Arab nations, affecting people aged 50 and older at rates between 1.1% and 2.3% and 80 and older at rates between 13.5% and 18.5%. These outcomes, however, are comparable to many other nations throughout the world. Furthermore, it was shown that frequency varied according to sociodemographic traits. In addition to obesity, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular risk factors, major risk factors for dementia include hypertension, poor income, and lack of education. Studies from the Arab area are still in low supply despite growing knowledge addressing the epidemiological distribution and drivers of dementia globally (El-Metwally et al., 2019). By 2022, 6.5 million Americans 65 and older will be diagnosed with Alzheimer's. 75 or older makes up 73% of the total of United State public. Alzheimer's disease affects 1 in 9 people aged 65 and older (10.7%). Almost two-thirds of Alzheimer's patients is woman in the United States. Compared to older adult White people, older Black Americans have approximately a twofold greater risk of developing Alzheimer's or another form of dementia (Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, n.d.). Older Hispanics are around 1.5 times more likely than older Whites to suffer Alzheimer's disease or another kind of dementia. Barring medical advances to stop, delay, or cure Alzheimer's disease by 2050, there may be 12.7 million people aged 65 and older who have the disease (Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, n.d.). Alzheimer's or another kind of dementia causes 1 in 3 elderly deaths (Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, n.d.). Compared to breast and prostate cancer put together, it claims more lives. A 17% rise in fatalities from Alzheimer's and dementia was attributed to COVID-19 in 2020 (Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, n.d.). The US will spend $321 billion on Alzheimer's and other dementias in 2022 (Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, n.d.). These expenses may amount to around $1 trillion by the year 2050 (Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, n.d.). For those suffering from Alzheimer's disease or another kind of dementia, more than 11 million Americans offer unpaid care (Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, n.d.). More than 16 billion hours of care and about $272 billion worth of services were rendered by these caregivers in 2021 (Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, n.d.). Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which can be a precursor to Alzheimer's, is a condition that fewer than one in five Americans are aware of (Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, n.d.). High knowledge and attitude levels have several advantages. Numerous studies have been conducted on nursing students' understanding of and attitudes concerning Alzheimer's disease in various parts of the world, including Malaysia, Jordan, and Indonesia (Ahmad Basri et al., 2017; Sunaryo et al., 2020; Aljezawi et al., 2022). However, according to the authors' research, there are not many studies that primarily examine Saudi Arabian nursing students' attitudes and knowledge of Alzheimer's disease. Stronger data on Saudi nursing students' knowledge of and attitudes concerning Alzheimer's disease may help with evaluation of Saudi nursing education, particularly in Alzheimer's disease-related dementia. To determine the knowledge and attitudes of nursing students in Saudi Arabia concerning Alzheimer's disease, this study was conducted. According to prior research, nurses' attitudes, and knowledge regarding patients with dementia associated to Alzheimer's disease are better than those of nursing students (Blaser & Berset, 2019; Sunaryo et al., 2020). Age, the professional standing of the health professionals, prior experience with caring for others, professional experience with caring for others, and training in Alzheimer disease related dementia care were some of the factors that were identified as potentially influencing knowledge about Alzheimer's (Blaser & Berset, 2019; Sunaryo et al., 2020). The care setting, the experience of providing care for those with Alzheimer disease, the clinical explanation of Alzheimer disease, class standing, age, and other characteristics have all been recognized as potential influences (Blaser & Berset, 2019; Sunaryo et al., 2020). An earlier study revealed that nursing students' clinical experiences increased their knowledge of and attitudes toward those with Alzheimer's disease (Kimzey et al., 2016). Future professionals in the healthcare field will be key contributors to the system of professional healthcare. Future Alzheimer disease care providers will depend heavily on students' knowledge and attitudes, especially when it comes to the professional treatment of an illness with such high care requirements as Alzheimer's type dementia (Basri et al., 2017).