Sociodemographic Associations of Dementia Literacy in Older Australians
Recent levels of dementia literacy in older Australian adults remains relatively unexplored. Our purpose was to identify whether dementia literacy has changed in older Australians, sociodemographic characteristics associated with better literacy, and barriers to dementia risk reduction. A 32-item ad...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Journal of Ageing and Longevity |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9259/2/4/21 |
| _version_ | 1827638427012562944 |
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| author | Joyce Siette Laura Dodds |
| author_facet | Joyce Siette Laura Dodds |
| author_sort | Joyce Siette |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Recent levels of dementia literacy in older Australian adults remains relatively unexplored. Our purpose was to identify whether dementia literacy has changed in older Australians, sociodemographic characteristics associated with better literacy, and barriers to dementia risk reduction. A 32-item adapted British Social Attitudes Survey was administered to 834 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 73.3, SD = 6.0, range 65–94) on dementia awareness and knowledge of dementia risk and protective factors. Descriptive analyses, logistic, and multiple linear regressions were used to examine sociodemographic factors on dementia awareness and literacy. Most respondents (61%) were aware of the relationship between different lifestyle factors and dementia risk, with the majority reporting cognitive (85.0%) and physical inactivity (83.4%) as key risk factors. Few were able to identify less well-known factors (e.g., chronic kidney disease; 15.8%). Individuals with higher educational attainment were more likely to agree that dementia is modifiable (OR 1.228, 95% CI 1.02–1.47). Younger age (β = −0.089, 95% CI −0.736–−0.065, <i>p</i> = 0.019) was significantly associated with a higher number of correctly-identified dementia risk factors. Lack of knowledge was the key barrier to hindering dementia risk reduction. A tailored, evidence-informed, population-based lifespan approach targeting dementia literacy may help alleviate commonly reported barriers and support dementia risk reduction. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:17:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d6da7b9f1dba4576bc2309e6ca493b5d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-9259 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:17:12Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Ageing and Longevity |
| spelling | doaj.art-d6da7b9f1dba4576bc2309e6ca493b5d2023-11-24T15:41:10ZengMDPI AGJournal of Ageing and Longevity2673-92592022-09-012425226510.3390/jal2040021Sociodemographic Associations of Dementia Literacy in Older AustraliansJoyce Siette0Laura Dodds1The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University, Westmead, NSW 2145, AustraliaThe MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University, Westmead, NSW 2145, AustraliaRecent levels of dementia literacy in older Australian adults remains relatively unexplored. Our purpose was to identify whether dementia literacy has changed in older Australians, sociodemographic characteristics associated with better literacy, and barriers to dementia risk reduction. A 32-item adapted British Social Attitudes Survey was administered to 834 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 73.3, SD = 6.0, range 65–94) on dementia awareness and knowledge of dementia risk and protective factors. Descriptive analyses, logistic, and multiple linear regressions were used to examine sociodemographic factors on dementia awareness and literacy. Most respondents (61%) were aware of the relationship between different lifestyle factors and dementia risk, with the majority reporting cognitive (85.0%) and physical inactivity (83.4%) as key risk factors. Few were able to identify less well-known factors (e.g., chronic kidney disease; 15.8%). Individuals with higher educational attainment were more likely to agree that dementia is modifiable (OR 1.228, 95% CI 1.02–1.47). Younger age (β = −0.089, 95% CI −0.736–−0.065, <i>p</i> = 0.019) was significantly associated with a higher number of correctly-identified dementia risk factors. Lack of knowledge was the key barrier to hindering dementia risk reduction. A tailored, evidence-informed, population-based lifespan approach targeting dementia literacy may help alleviate commonly reported barriers and support dementia risk reduction.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9259/2/4/21agingdementia awarenessdementia preventionpublic healthrisk reduction behaviorhealth promotion |
| spellingShingle | Joyce Siette Laura Dodds Sociodemographic Associations of Dementia Literacy in Older Australians Journal of Ageing and Longevity aging dementia awareness dementia prevention public health risk reduction behavior health promotion |
| title | Sociodemographic Associations of Dementia Literacy in Older Australians |
| title_full | Sociodemographic Associations of Dementia Literacy in Older Australians |
| title_fullStr | Sociodemographic Associations of Dementia Literacy in Older Australians |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sociodemographic Associations of Dementia Literacy in Older Australians |
| title_short | Sociodemographic Associations of Dementia Literacy in Older Australians |
| title_sort | sociodemographic associations of dementia literacy in older australians |
| topic | aging dementia awareness dementia prevention public health risk reduction behavior health promotion |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9259/2/4/21 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT joycesiette sociodemographicassociationsofdementialiteracyinolderaustralians AT lauradodds sociodemographicassociationsofdementialiteracyinolderaustralians |