| Awareness and Understanding of Dementia in Community-Dwelling Adults Without Dementia and Stroke |
|
Hyun Young Park, Young Seo Kim, Hyung Jong Park, Hak Seung Lee, Seung Han Suk |
1Department of Neurology, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Institute of Wonkwang Medical Science and Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Center, Iksan, Korea.
2Department of Neurology, National Naju Hospital, Naju, Korea.
3Department of Neurology, Wonkwang University Sanbon Medical Center and Wonkwang University Ansan Municipal Geriatric Hospital, Gunpo, Korea. suksh@wku.ac.kr |
|
|
| Abstract |
BACKGROUND
Early diagnosis and treatment of dementia has become a critical medical issue; however, knowledge and understanding of dementia in the general population remains insufficient. Accurately determining and increasing the level of knowledge of dementia will help improve dementia treatment and prevention.
METHODS
Using a questionnaire, we examined the degree of interest in dementia, comprehension of dementia, and level of knowledge of dementia among 716 middle-aged and elderly individuals without a history of stroke or dementia. We conducted an analysis of these associations with risk factors of dementia.
RESULTS
Most participants had an interest in dementia (93.3%) and a comprehension of dementia (91.1%). An analysis of the association between the level of knowledge of dementia, according to the characteristics of the participants and each variable, showed that higher education level, presence of a spouse, and higher level of interest in dementia exhibited a statistically significant positive correlation.
CONCLUSION
This study shows that the level of knowledge about dementia in the community is relatively high for those participants who have a high interest in dementia or higher education level. To increase awareness of dementia and reduce dementia-associated socioeconomic costs, educational activities could be tailored to fit the level of education or interest in dementia of individuals, as an effective intervention for community-dwelling healthy adults. |
| Key Words:
Dementia, Education, Prevention, Knowledge |
|
PDF Links
Full text via DOI
Download Citation
