Dementia knowledge among older Chinese adults: A cross‐national comparison between Melbourne and Beijing

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundImproving dementia knowledge among older populations has the potential to reduce risk factors or enable early diagnosis and timely treatment. This study compared dementia knowledge between older Chinese adults in Melbourne, Australia, and Beijing, China, and explored similarities and differences in relation to dementia knowledge between these two groups. Ultimately, this study aims to inform the development of tailored dementia education programs for older Chinese adults.MethodA cross‐sectional design was employed in this study. In total, 379 participants (153 from Melbourne, and 226 from Beijing) completed the questionnaire. Dementia knowledge was assessed with the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS). Demographic characteristics, dementia‐related experience, and mental health status of study participants were also collected.ResultIn general, older Chinese adults in Melbourne and Beijing present a fair level of dementia knowledge (Mean±SD: 17.2±2.9 versus 17.5±2.9, P=0.179) and patterns of scores of dementia knowledge sub‐domains with highest scores in life impact and lowest scores in caregiving. In these seven domains, the correct response rates of life impact were 77% in Melbourne versus 78% in Beijing (P=0.812), treatment and management were 70% versus 72% (P=0.497), course were 66% versus 70% (P=0.096), assessment and diagnosis were 61% versus 62% (P=0.517), symptoms were 60% versus 59% (P=0.744), risk factors were 47% versus 48% (P=0.604), caregiving were both 36% (P=0.647). Multiple linear regression analysis found that younger age (B=‐0.059, P=0.025) and positive self‐report dementia impact (B=2.955, P=0.042) were significantly associated with a higher level of dementia knowledge in Melbourne, whereas the positive family history of dementia (B=1.415, P=0.040) was significantly associated with a higher level of dementia knowledge in Beijing.ConclusionOlder Chinese adults living in Melbourne and Beijing only had a fair knowledge about dementia, especially about the sub‐domains of risk factors and caregiving information. Different factors associated with dementia knowledge in these two groups. These findings suggest that dementia education programs for older Chinese adults need to focus on risk factors and caregiving.