Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jn8rn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-19T15:53:33.519Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Dementia knowledge and associated factors among older Chinese adults: a cross-national comparison between Melbourne and Beijing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 March 2021

Mei Zhao Open the ORCID record for Mei Zhao [Opens in a new window] ,
Xiaozhen Lv ,
Xiaoping Lin ,
Emily You ,
Haifeng Zhang ,
Kathryn A. Ellis ,
Xin Yu ,
Huali Wang Open the ORCID record for Huali Wang [Opens in a new window]  and
Nicola T. Lautenschlager
Mei Zhao*
Affiliation:
Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Xiaozhen Lv
Affiliation:
Dementia Care & Research Center, Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China Beijing Dementia Key Lab, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Beijing, China
Xiaoping Lin
Affiliation:
Registry Science and Research Unit, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Emily You
Affiliation:
Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Haifeng Zhang
Affiliation:
Dementia Care & Research Center, Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China Beijing Dementia Key Lab, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Beijing, China
Kathryn A. Ellis
Affiliation:
Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Xin Yu
Affiliation:
Dementia Care & Research Center, Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China Beijing Dementia Key Lab, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Beijing, China
Huali Wang*
Affiliation:
Dementia Care & Research Center, Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China Beijing Dementia Key Lab, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Beijing, China
Nicola T. Lautenschlager
Affiliation:
Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia NorthWestern Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Prof. Huali Wang, Dementia Care & Research Center, Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), No.51 Huayuanbei Road, Beijing100191, China. E-mail: [email protected] or Mei Zhao, Department of Psychiatry, the University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052, VIC, Australia. E-mail: [email protected].
Correspondence should be addressed to: Prof. Huali Wang, Dementia Care & Research Center, Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), No.51 Huayuanbei Road, Beijing100191, China. E-mail: [email protected] or Mei Zhao, Department of Psychiatry, the University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052, VIC, Australia. E-mail: [email protected].
Get access

Abstract

Objectives:

This study compared dementia knowledge between older Chinese adults in Melbourne, Australia, and Beijing, China, and explored factors associated with dementia knowledge between these two groups. Ultimately, this study aimed to inform the development of tailored dementia education programs for older Chinese adults.

Design:

A cross-sectional design was employed in this study.

Setting:

Participants were recruited from 5 Chinese community senior groups in Melbourne and 10 community health centers in Beijing from March to May 2019.

Participants:

A total of 379 older Chinese adults aged 50 and over completed the questionnaire, including 153 from Melbourne and 226 from Beijing.

Measurements:

Dementia knowledge was assessed using the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS). Demographic characteristics, dementia-related experience, and the mental health status of participants were collected. Stepwise linear regression was used to analyze the factors associated with dementia knowledge.

Results:

In general, older Chinese adults in Melbourne and Beijing reported similar levels of dementia knowledge for both the overall ADKS scale (mean ± SD: 17.2 ± 2.9 in Melbourne vs. 17.5 ± 2.9 in Beijing, p > 0.05) and the seven subdomains. Of the subdomains, the highest correct response rates were observed in the life impact of the dementia subdomain, and the lowest rates were observed in the caregiving subdomain. Stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that younger age and self-reported dementia worry were significantly associated with higher levels of dementia knowledge in the Melbourne group, whereas a positive family history of dementia was significantly associated with higher levels of dementia knowledge in the Beijing group.

Conclusions:

Older Chinese adults living in Melbourne and Beijing share similar levels of dementia knowledge, but factors associated with their knowledge are different. These findings will inform the development of culturally and socially appropriate dementia education programs for older Chinese populations in different countries.

Keywords

older adultsdementiaknowledgecross-national comparison
Type
Original Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 33 , Special Issue 10: Issue Theme: Non-cognitive Concerns in People with Dementia , October 2021 , pp. 1057 - 1067
Copyright
© International Psychogeriatric Association 2021

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

Senior author: Prof. Nicola T. Lautenschlager, Department of Psychiatry, the University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052, VIC, Australia, Email: [email protected]

References

Alzheimer’s Disease International. (2017). Dementia Friendly Communities: Global developments. London: Alzheimer’s Disease International Press. Google Scholar
Alzheimer’s Disease International. (2018). From plan to impact: progress towards targets of the Global action plan on dementia. London: Alzheimer’s Disease International Press. Google Scholar
Alzheimer’s Disease International. (2019). World Alzheimer Report 2019: Attitudes to dementia. London: Alzheimer’s Disease International Press.Google Scholar
Alzheimer’s Society. (2007). Dementia UK. A Report to the Alzheimer’s Society on the Prevalence and Economic Cost of Dementia in the UK Produced by King’s College London and London School of Economics. London: Alzheimer’s Society Press.Google Scholar
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2019). 3412.0 - Migration, Australia, 2017–18. Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Government. Available online: https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Previousproducts/3412.0Main%20Features22017-18?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=3412.0&issue=2017-18&num=&view=; last accessed 6 March 2020.Google Scholar
Cahill, S., Pierce, M., Werner, P., Darley, A. and Bobersky, A. (2015). A systematic review of the public’s knowledge and understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders, 29, 255–275. doi: 10.1097/WAD.0000000000000102.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carpenter, B. D., Balsis, S., Otilingam, P. G., Hanson, P. K. and Gatz, M. (2009). The Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale: development and psychometric properties. The Gerontologist, 49, 236–247. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnp023.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cations, M., Radisic, G., Crotty, M. and Laver, K. E. (2018). What does the general public understand about prevention and treatment of dementia? A systematic review of population-based surveys. PLoS One, 13, e0196085. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196085.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cooper, C., Tandy, A. R., Balamurali, T. B. S. and Livingston, G. (2010). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Ethnic Differences in Use of Dementia Treatment, Care, and Research. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18, 193–203. doi: 10.1097/JGP.0b013e3181bf9caf.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cutler, S. J. and Hodgson, L. G. (2001). Correlates of personal concerns about developing Alzheimer’s disease among middle-aged persons. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, 16, 335–343. doi: 10.1177/153331750101600604.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
De Jong Gierveld, J. and Van Tilburg, T. (2006). A 6-item scale for overall, emotional, and social loneliness: confirmatory tests on survey data. Research on Aging, 28, 582–598. doi: 10.1177/0164027506289723.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Diamond, A. G. and Woo, B. K. P. (2014). Duration of residence and dementia literacy among Chinese Americans. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 60, 406–409. doi: 10.1177/0020764013491742.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dow, B. et al. (2018). Reliability, concurrent validity, and cultural adaptation of the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory for detecting depression and anxiety symptoms among older Chinese immigrants: an Australian study. International Psychogeriatrics, 30, 735–748. doi: 10.1017/S1041610217002332.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gao, M. X., Gao, M. X., Guo, L., Sun, F. and Zhang, A. (2020). Perceived threat of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in Chinese older adults: the role of knowledge and perceived stigma. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 35, 223–229. doi: 10.1002/gps.5240.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Huang, L. et al. (2014). Investigation of the awareness rate about senile dementia related knowledge in population above 55-year-old in Changsha. Journal of Psychiatry, 27, 446–448. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1009-7201.2014.06.016.Google Scholar
Jorm, A. F., Korten, A. E., Jacomb, P. A., Christensen, H., Rodgers, B. and Pollitt, P. (1997). “Mental health literacy”: a survey of the public’s ability to recognize mental disorders and their beliefs about the effectiveness of treatment. Medical Journal of Australia, 166, 182–186. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1997.tb140071.x.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kennedy, S., Kidd, M., McDonald, J. and Biddle, N. (2015). The Healthy Immigrant Effect: Patterns and Evidence from Four Countries. Journal of International Migration & Integration, 16, 317–332. doi: 10.1007/s12134-014-0340-x.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kessler, E.-M., Bowen, C., Baer, M., Froelich, L. and Wahl, H.-W. (2012). Dementia worry: a psychological examination of an unexplored phenomenon. European Journal of Ageing, 9, 275–284. doi: 10.1007/s10433-012-0242-8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kim, S., Sargent-Cox, K. A. and Anstey, K. J. (2015). A qualitative study of older and middle-aged adults’ perception and attitudes towards dementia and dementia risk reduction. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 71, 1694–1703. doi: 10.1111/jan.12641.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lee, J. P. (2015). Dementia literacy among Chinese Americans: family history of dementia only marginally improves understanding of the disease. Journal of Clinical Gerontology and Geriatrics, 6, 141–142. doi: 10.1016/j.jcgg.2015.03.003.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lee, J.-Y. et al. (2016). Differences in knowledge of dementia among older adults with normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia: a representative nationwide sample of Korean elders. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 66, 82–88. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2016.04.013.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lee, S. E. and Casado, B. L. (2019). Knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease among Vietnamese Americans and correlates of their knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia, 18, 713–724. doi: 10.1177/1471301217691616.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lee, S. M. et al. (2011). Factors impacting on early detection of dementia in older people of Asian background in primary healthcare. Asia-Pacific Psychiatry, 3, 120–127. doi: 10.1111/j.1758-5872.2011.00130.x.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leung, G. T. Y., de Jong Gierveld, J. and Lam, L. C. W. (2008). Validation of the Chinese translation of the 6-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale in elderly Chinese. International Psychogeriatrics, 20, 1262–1272. doi: 10.1017/S1041610208007552.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Liang, X. et al. (2012). Survey on awareness of mental health knowledge among elderly population and their caregivers in Xi’an. Chinese Journal of Health Psychology, 20, 19–21. doi: 10.13342/j.cnki.cjhp.2012.01.053.Google Scholar
Lin, X. et al. (2016b). Screening for depression and anxiety among older Chinese immigrants living in Western countries: the use of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI). Asia-Pacific Psychiatry, 8, 32–43. doi: 10.1111/appy.12191.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lin, X., Bryant, C., Boldero, J. and Dow, B. (2016a). Psychological well-being of older Chinese immigrants living in Australia: a comparison with older Caucasians. International Psychogeriatrics, 28, 1671–1679. doi: 10.1017/S1041610216001010.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Liu, J. and Woo, B. K. (2013). Older adults are less accurate than younger adults at identifying cardiovascular disease as a cause of dementia in the Chinese American community. Int Psychogeriatr, 25, 1033–1034. doi: 10.1017/s1041610213000112.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Low, L.-F. et al. (2010). Recognition, attitudes and causal beliefs regarding dementia in Italian, Greek and Chinese Australians. Dementia & Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 30, 499–508. doi: 10.1159/000321667.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Low, L.-F. and Anstey, K. J. (2009). Dementia literacy: recognition and beliefs on dementia of the Australian public. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 5, 43–49. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2008.03.011.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mukadam, N., Cooper, C. and Livingston, G. (2013). Improving access to dementia services for people from minority ethnic groups. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 26, 409–414. doi: 10.1097/YCO.0b013e32835ee668.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pachana, N. A., Byrne, G. J., Siddle, H., Koloski, N., Harley, E. and Arnold, E. (2007). Development and validation of the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory. International Psychogeriatrics, 19, 103–114. doi: 10.1017/S1041610206003504.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Shanley, C. et al. (2012). A qualitative study into the use of formal services for dementia by carers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. BMC Health Services Research, 12, 354–354. doi: 10.1186/1472-6963-12-354.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Shi, Q. et al. (2018). Epidemic situation of Alzheimer’s Disease and hypomnesia among residents aged 60 years and above in Jiangxi province. Practical Clinical Medicine, 19, 83–87. doi: 10.13764/j.cnki.lcsy.2018.01.033.Google Scholar
Sun, F., Gao, X. and Coon, D. W. (2015). Perceived threat of Alzheimer’s disease among Chinese American older adults: the role of Alzheimer’s disease literacy. Journals of Gerontology Series B-Psychological Sciences & Social Sciences, 70, 247–257. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbt095.Google ScholarPubMed
Sun, F., Gao, X., Shen, H. and Burnette, D. (2014). Levels and correlates of knowledge about Alzheimer’s Disease among older Chinese Americans. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 29, 173–183. doi: 10.1007/s10823-014-9229-6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wang, Y., Xiao, L. D. and He, G.-P. (2015). A comprehensive approach to psychometric assessment of instruments used in dementia educational interventions for health professionals: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 52, 568–577. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.11.011.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Werner, P. (2003). Knowledge about symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease: correlates and relationship to help-seeking behavior. International Journal Of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18, 1029–1036. doi: 10.1002/gps.1011.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
World Health Organization. (2012). Dementia: a public health priority. Geneva: World Health Organization Press.Google Scholar
World Health Organization. (2017). Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017-2025. Geneva: World Health Organization Press.Google Scholar
Xu, H., Zhang, Y. and Wu, B. (2017). Association between migration and cognitive status among middle-aged and older adults: a systematic review. BMC Geriatrics, 17, 184. doi: 10.1186/s12877-017-0585-2.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Xu, M. et al. (2013). Groups of older persons and their caregivers in a community mental health knowledge rate survey in Xuhui district, Shanghai city. Chinese Primary Health Care, 27, 17–19. doi: 10.1080/13607860802427994.Google Scholar
Yu, W., Chen, J., Sun, X. and Yuan, L. (2016). Investigation on Alzheimer’s Disease awareness and propaganda requirement among middle aged and elderly people in Beijing. Chinese Primary Health Care, 30, 48–50. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1001-568X.2016.10.0020.Google Scholar
Zhang, H. et al. (2017). Dementia literacy among community-dwelling older adults in urban China: a cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Public Health, 5. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00124.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zheng, X. and Woo, B. K. P. (2016). Association between recognizing dementia as a mental illness and dementia knowledge among elderly Chinese Americans. World Journal of Psychiatry, 6, 233–238. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v6.i2.233.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed