Nursing students' attitudes on sexuality in later life and ageism: A cross sectional study

Nursing students, play a crucial role in empowering individuals and ensuring access to comprehensive sexual health education when they begin working as nurses after graduation. This study aims to examine nursing students' attitudes toward sexuality in later life, their perceptions of ageism, and the relationships among these factors. Data were collected between October and December 2024 from 520 nursing students enrolled in three public universities in city with well-established and internationally renowned state universities. Face-to-face surveys included the Sociodemographic Information Form, the Aging Sexual Attitudes Scale, and the Positive and Negative Ageism Scale. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. The findings indicated that nursing students demonstrated positive attitudes toward sexuality, high levels of positive ageism, and low levels of negative ageism. A significant positive correlation was found between attitudes toward sexuality and negative ageism, whereas no significant relationship was observed with positive ageism. Nursing students' attitudes toward sexuality in later life are influenced by their perceptions of ageism. Nursing education and clinical practice should emphasize awareness of older adults' sexual health while addressing biases through educational programs and interactive training methods. To combat ageism and improve care quality, the implementation of age-friendly healthcare policies must be underpinned by proactive, sustained, and multidisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professionals, educators, and community stakeholders. This collaborative approach is essential for integrating person-centred geriatric practices into all levels of service delivery and education.