Background: Data on dementia from low- and middle-income countries are still necessary to quantify the burden of this condition. This multicenter cross-sectional study aimed at estimating the prevalence of dementia in 2 large cities of Central Africa. Methods: General population door-to-door surveys were conducted in the districts of Bangui (Republic of Central Africa) and Brazzaville (Congo) in elderly aged ≧65 years. The subjects were screened with the Community Screening Interview for Dementia and the Five-Words Test. Diagnosis of dementia was made according to the DSM-IV criteria and to the clinical criteria proposed by the NINCDS-ADRDA for Alzheimer’s disease. Results: We enrolled 496 subjects in Bangui and 520 in Brazzaville. The prevalence of dementia was estimated at 8.1% (95% CI = 5.8–10.8) in Bangui and 6.7% (95% CI = 4.7–9.2) in Brazzaville. Conclusion: The prevalence of dementia in urban areas of Central Africa is close to those observed in high-income countries.

Risk factors for dementia in American and European countries have been well investigated. However, little research has been carried out in sub-Saharan Africa, where life events as well as environmental, socio-economic, and modifiable risk factors (i.e., cardiovascular risk factors) may differ. Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted in representative samples of the older general population living in Bangui (Central African Republic) and Brazzaville (Congo). Dementia was defined according to the DSM-IV criteria. Multivariate regression analyses were performed in order to identify independent factors associated with dementia. Among the 977 elderly Africans included in this analysis, 75 (7.6%) were diagnosed as having dementia. Increasing age, female gender, hypertension, a body mass index <18.5 kg/m2, depressive symptoms, and the lack of a primary education were significantly associated with dementia. Among life events, the death of one parent during childhood and recently having moved house were also associated with dementia. Beyond the usual risk factors for dementia, this study highlights the role of stressful events in low-income countries. Factors associated with dementia in African countries seem different from established factors in high-income countries and require further investigation.

Background/Aims: The population of Benin is, like those of most developing countries, aging; dementia is therefore a major concern. Our goal was to estimate the prevalence of dementia in an elderly population living in urban Benin. Methods: In a cross-sectional community-based study, people aged 65 years and above were screened using the Community Screening Interview for Dementia and the Five-Word Test. Results: The prevalence of dementia was 3.7% (95% CI 2.6–4.8) overall. The figure increased with age and was higher among women than men. Conclusion: Dementia was slightly more prevalent than previously reported in a rural area of Benin, but the rate was similar to that recorded in other cities in developing countries.

This first population study in Central Africa highlights the high prevalence of PAD in the older population, and emphasizes specificities regarding the risk factors, being different from data published in Western countries.

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The prevalence of undernutrition is high in the older population. The nutritional status of patients with dementia is more impaired than that of healthy patients. However, they are less often malnourished than in French home care settings. This study is the first to look at the nutritional status of at-home patients with dementia in Africa. These comparative data will eventually be used in the development of new nutritional intervention strategies.

Background: Dementia will concern more and more people in the developing countries, but the perception people have of dementia in these areas has not yet been studied. Method: During a general population survey (EDAC) carried out in Brazzaville (Republic of Congo), 27 elderly persons suspected of having dementia and 31 of their relatives, 90 cognitively impaired elderly persons and 92 of their relatives, as well as 33 hospital workers were interviewed according to the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue. Results: Item prominence ratings indicate that the attention was mainly on the emotional and socio-economic consequences (scores >1.0 out of 5 points). Ageing and mental stress are the main perceived causes. Hospital workers are more aware of public stigma. Conclusion: The socio-cultural components of the dementia phenomenon have to be taken into account to enforce public health and social measures.

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