Evaluation and Analyses of the General Public’s Dementia Knowledge and Its Characteristics

Background and ObjectivesDementia awareness initiatives aim to promote helping behaviors toward people living with dementia. We applied the bystander intervention process model in the context of the general public’s helping behaviors toward people living with dementia, and we sought to identify the mechanisms underlying the association between dementia knowledge and helping behaviors.Research Design and MethodsIn a survey featuring vignettes for the general public in Japan (N = 904), we presented four situations in which people could exhibit helping behaviors toward a person with dementia. Guttman scale analysis was used to test this sequential ordering of the bystander intervention process model: (a) interpreting the need to help, (b) perceiving personal responsibility, and (c) intention to provide help. Mediation analysis was used to examine whether the effects of knowledge on helping behaviors were mediated by attitude toward people living with dementia and the bystander intervention process.ResultsThe results support the two-step model in which interpreting the situation as one where assistance is required is a prerequisite of helping behavior. Dementia knowledge had a significant total effect on intention to provide help (β = 0.136, p < .001). Interpretation (indirect effect: β = 0.092, p < .001), as well as attitude (indirect effect: β = 0.044, p < .001), was found to completely mediate the effect of dementia knowledge on intention to provide help.Discussion and ImplicationsDementia awareness initiatives designed to promote helping behaviors should focus on knowledge transfer, improving the general public’s attitudes toward people living with dementia, and their ability to interpret when such people need assistance.

Raising dementia awareness is essential for building a dementia-friendly community. However, existing studies have underexplored the effects of virtual reality (VR) dementia educational programs for the general public on enhancing positive attitude toward dementia. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a VR dementia-friendly educational program called the Drive for Dementia Readiness Inside Virtual Reality (DRIVE) program to improve attitude toward dementia of the general public. A two-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted. Eligibility criteria for participants included being 16 years and older in Japan and having no professional license in healthcare and social care. We randomized individuals to attend a multielement VR dementia-friendly educational program (intervention), including simulation, VR films, short films, lectures, and discussions or a lecture-based program (control). Data were collected 3 times, including at baseline, postintervention, and 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome was attitude toward dementia. The secondary outcomes were intention of helping behavior for people living with dementia and knowledge of dementia. We recruited 157 community residents, among whom 130 were included in the analysis. Although the mean changes in attitude score were not significantly different between the groups (Hedge's g = 0.26), the intention of helping behavior score was significantly higher in the intervention group (g = 0.49). The DRIVE, a VR-based multielement dementia-friendly educational intervention, was shown as a promising tool for significantly affecting the intention of helping behavior for people living with dementia to establish dementia-friendly communities. UMIN000044901.

This study aims to validate the Modified Lay Public Stigma in the Family Stigma in Alzheimer's Disease Scale (Modified FS-ADS) with Vietnamese general public. A sample of 135 students aged 18 to 24 completed a self-ministered survey on their attitude toward people with dementia. Exploratory principal factor analysis using varimax rotation was adopted to explore potential factors of 34 items. Using iterative process, this exploratory principal factor analysis was conducted three times, using the same criteria to retain items. Only factors with Eigenvalues > 1 and associated items with factor loading > = 0.5 and loaded on only one factor were retained for further examination. After the final exploratory principal factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha of each subscale was computed to examine their internal reliability. The construct validity of the final retained subscales was evaluated using the Pearson correlation coefficients between these subscales and dementia knowledge and compassion. The validated scale retained 17 items distributed to four factors or subscales, namely: (1) perception of esthetics of, (2) willingness to help, (3) extremely negative feelings (fear and disgust) toward, and (4) social distance toward people with dementia. All subscales show high reliability. The Modified Lay Public Stigma Scale from FS-ADS is a valid and reliable instrument to assess public stigma among Vietnamese general public in their sociocultural context. The validated scale with its four subscales is not only empirical derived, but also theoretical underpinned, and therefore, importantly contributes to future studies on public stigma among Vietnamese population.

A systematic review was conducted using four databases: PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Science Direct. Eligible studies encompassed peer-reviewed publications in English-language journals, with no specific restrictions imposed on publication dates. Following rigorous application of the predetermined selection criteria, eight studies fulfilled the eligibility requirements for inclusion in this systematic review. Eight studies were included in the analysis, three quasi-experimental studies, three descriptive studies, and two mixed-methods studies. Findings indicate that digital learning modalities including MOOCs, Tele-Savvy, and Web-based seminars, significantly improve dementia knowledge acquisition, with post-intervention assessments showing notable increases in Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS) scores. Key features such as structured content, interactivity, and multimodal delivery improve engagement and accessibility, contributing to high user satisfaction. Findings from a descriptive study, which included participants ranging from primary school age to 100 years in a mixed-method study, highlight the broad age spectrum of dementia e-learning platforms. Notably, seven out of eight studies demonstrated elevated participant engagement metrics and satisfaction indices among e-learning platform users, with MOOCs demonstrating particularly robust completion rates. Four studies indicated that the platforms' effectiveness is predominantly attributed to their user-friendliness, while linguistic adaptability further augments engagement and knowledge retention. This systematic review elucidates the significant contribution of e-learning platforms to dementia education, offering scalable and accessible learning solutions. Future research imperatives include investigating longitudinal knowledge retention, evaluating the efficacy of culturally contextualized content, and developing strategies to enhance accessibility across diverse demographic populations.

Background: Increasing life expectancy worldwide means more people will develop dementia. Despite the rapid growth in older Bangladeshi immigrants living in the UK, there is little evidence of how community members understand and view the process of ageing and dementia. However, Bangladeshis have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease, both of which are important indicators of dementia development in old age. This study aimed to explore and analyse the perception and knowledge of, and attitudes towards, ageing and dementia among the Bangladeshi community. Methods: A qualitative research approach guided two separate focus group discussions held with Bangladeshi adults in Portsmouth, UK. A topic guide was used alongside two vignettes depicting either early- or late-stage dementia to stimulate discussion. The data were recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically using NVivo qualitative software. Results: Three main themes emerged: (1) knowledge and perceptions of dementia; (2) perceived causes of dementia; and (3) perceptions of stigma about dementia. Lack of knowledge and understanding of dementia was evident, but the stigma about dementia was non-existent. This study fills a research gap by providing qualitative research examining knowledge about and attitudes towards dementia among a Bangladeshi community in England. Conclusion: Future research must highlight the importance of raising dementia awareness among, and providing information about dementia caregiving to, Bangladeshi community members, as well as providing religiously sensitive healthcare services.