Adolescent's Non-Recognition of Cigarette Smoking as a Risk Factor for Dementia: Give me one Cigarette butt! Pilot Study

Abstract

The article presents the extent to which pupils and students of Slovenian primary and secondary school are informed about dementia, with an emphasis on their attitude towards cigarette smoking as a risk factor for the development of dementia. The presentation of the research results of a survey between 35 primary school students (13-14 years old) and 35 high school students (16-19 years old) draws attention to the knowledge of the facts about dementia and the poor knowledge of variable risk factors for dementia among high school students compared to with primary school students (p <0.05). The incorrect statement: "Smoking reduces the risk of dementia" was agreed by 20% of high school students and none of primary school students (p <0.05), as well as 10.1% of those respondents who live permanently in rural areas and none of those permanently residing in an urban environment (p <0.05). Educating adolescents about dementia should take into account their knowledge gaps according to their age and place of residence and offer them optimal opportunities for formal and informal learning with an emphasis on a healthy lifestyle that reduces the possibility of dementia in late adulthood