Association between having a family member with dementia and perceptions of dementia preventability

Does having a family member with dementia affect health beliefs about changing lifestyle and health behaviour for dementia risk reduction?

BACKGROUND

Dementia is a worldwide public health concern. Implementing lifestyle changes that target modifiable risk factors is crucial for reducing the risk of dementia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of having family members with dementia on individuals' health beliefs and tendencies towards adopting healthier lifestyles and behaviours.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted with 338 people aged 40 years and older, of whom 168 have the experience of having family members with dementia, and 170 have no such experience. Data were collected using a characteristics form, the Motivation to Change Lifestyle and Health Behaviours for Dementia Risk Reduction scale, and the modified Charlson comorbidity index. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square and independent t-tests, were used.

RESULTS

Those with family members with dementia were more likely to have greater motivation to modify their lifestyle (perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and cues to action) to reduce their risk of developing dementia. Additionally, they had greater perceived barriers to gain by adopting a healthy lifestyle, in contrast to those without such family members.

CONCLUSION

The presence of family members with dementia could be an important factor to consider when designing initiatives targeting health beliefs related to dementia prevention behaviours and lifestyle changes.

Communication about Alzheimer's disease and research among American Indians and Alaska Natives

Introduction

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people infrequently participate in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research, despite the rapidly increasing population of AI/AN people aged 65 and older.

Methods

We surveyed 320 adults who identified as AI/AN at two Native-focused events and used ordinary least squares regression and logistic regression models to test associations between demographic factors and perceived risk of AD, knowledge about AD, and willingness to participate in research, along with preferred source of AD information.

Results

Willingness to participate in research was highest among those living in a city versus reservation and associated with perceived personal risk for AD. Health professionals and the internet were preferred sources of information about AD.

Discussion

These hypothesis-generating results provide insight into perceptions of AD and willingness to participate in research. Conclusions could inform development of AD recruitment strategies for AI/ANs and influence participation in AD research.

Educating the masses to address a global public health priority: The Preventing Dementia Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)

Dementia is a global public health priority and risk reduction is an important pillar of the public health response. While 40% of cases are estimated to be attributable to modifiable health and lifestyle risk factors, public awareness of the evidence is low, limiting peoples’ opportunity to adopt risk-reducing behaviours. To address this gap, we designed, implemented, and evaluated an educational intervention, the Preventing Dementia Massive Open Online Course (PDMOOC). This mixed-methods study examined the reach and impact of the free and globally available PDMOOC, to assess its potential to provide effective dementia risk reduction education to a broad international audience. Over 100,000 individuals participated in the PDMOOC across seven iterations from 2016 to 2020, with 55,739 of these consenting to participate in research. Their mean age was 49 years (SD = 15), they came from 167 different countries, and the majority were female (86%), had completed post-secondary education (77%), lived in high-income countries (93%) and worked in health care and social assistance (63%). This demographic profile changed across time, with more men, people with higher education and people from low- and middle-income countries participating in recent course iterations. Two-thirds of participants completed the PDMOOC; completion was associated with being aged 50 to 70 years, residing in a high-income country, having tertiary education, and working in the health sector. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the PDMOOC, improved dementia risk reduction understanding and self-efficacy, increased motivation to maintain healthy lifestyles, and, importantly, application of their learning to health behaviour change with the potential to reduce their dementia risk. The PDMOOC educated a large global audience about dementia risk reduction, which contributed to participants making risk-reducing behaviour changes. This suggests MOOCs can be a successful public health strategy to improve dementia risk reduction understanding.

Factors Associated With the Experience of Cognitive Training Apps for the Prevention of Dementia: Cross-sectional Study Using an Extended Health Belief Model

Background

The prevalence and economic burden of dementia are increasing dramatically. Using information communication technology to improve cognitive functions is proven to be effective and holds the potential to serve as a new and efficient method for the prevention of dementia.

Objective

The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with the experience of mobile apps for cognitive training in middle-aged adults. We evaluated the relationships between the experience of cognitive training apps and structural variables using an extended health belief model.

Methods

An online survey was conducted on South Korean participants aged 40 to 64 years (N=320). General characteristics and dementia knowledge were measured along with the health belief model constructs. Statistical analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed.

Results

Higher dementia knowledge (odds ratio [OR] 1.164, P=.02), higher perceived benefit (OR 1.373, P<.001), female gender (OR 0.499, P=.04), and family history of dementia (OR 1.933, P=.04) were significantly associated with the experience of cognitive training apps for the prevention of dementia.

Conclusions

This study may serve as a theoretical basis for the development of intervention strategies to increase the use of cognitive training apps for the prevention of dementia.