Dementia Literacy among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Urban China: A Cross-sectional Study.

Haifeng Zhang,Xiao Wang,Xin Yu,Huali Wang,Shu’Aijun Zhou,Xiaozhen Lv,Mei Zhao,Samantha M Loi,Nicola Lautenschlager,Jing Wang

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2017.00124

Abstract

Delay in seeking diagnosis of dementia is common in China. Misinformation and poor knowledge about dementia may contribute to it. The study was designed to explore the nationwide dementia literacy among older adults in urban China and to investigate the factors associated with overall dementia literacy. In a cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 3,439 community-dwelling old adults aged 60 and over was recruited from 34 cities in 20 provinces between June 20 and August 20, 2014. All participants were administered the face-to-face mental health literacy questionnaire, which included the prevalence, symptoms, intention, and options for treatment of dementia. Stepwise multivariate regression analysis was used to explore factors associated with overall dementia literacy. The response rate was 87.4%. The overall dementia literacy was 55.5% (SD = 20.9%) among all respondents. The correct response rate was higher for questions on symptoms (58.7-89.6%), but lower for questions on the prevalence (22.2%) and choosing appropriate professional care personnel (22.2%). Being male [OR = 1.256, 95% CI (1.022-1.543)], having lower per capita annual income [OR = 1.314, 95% CI (1.064-1.623)], lower education [OR = 1.462, 95% CI (1.162-1.839)], and suspected depression [OR = 1.248, 95% CI (1.009-1.543)] were negatively associated with overall dementia literacy. Dementia literacy among community-dwelling older adults in urban China remains very low, in particular about the impact of dementia and appropriate treatment personnel. Community educational programs aiming to close this knowledge gap are encouraged to focus on those in the population at highest risk of low dementia literacy.

Highlights

Dementia is a progressive, neurodegenerative condition that causes deterioration in memory and other cognitive domains that influence a person’s functioning
The overall dementia literacy differed by gender, occupation prior to retirement, per capita annual income (χ2 = 77.521, p < 0.001), and mood status
The results of the present study provide empirical evidence that education can be helpful in increasing dementia literacy

Summary

Introduction

Neurodegenerative condition that causes deterioration in memory and other cognitive domains that influence a person’s functioning. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s dementia, which makes up 50–70% of cases. With the global aging of population, the number of people with dementia (PWD) is increasing worldwide. According to the World Alzheimer’s Report 2016, the worldwide prevalence of dementia among old adults aged 60 years and above is 5.2%. This means that about 46.8 million people live with dementia globally, and this number will almost double every 20 years, to 74.7 million in 2030 and 131.5 million in 2050. Nearly 25% of them reside in China [2]. China is facing significant challenges with regard to early recognition, timely diagnosis, and best possible management of dementia

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