A multi-themed and multi-format intervention program for improving dementia literacy among Chinese older adults: Study protocol for a non-randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Effective intervention is the key measure to improve the dementia literacy of older adults. However, to date, there are no studies on the effectiveness of dementia literacy interventions in China. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a dementia literacy intervention program on the dementia knowledge, attitude, and self-management behavior literacy of elderly adults. Methods: This study will strictly adhere to the inclusion/exclusion criteria, recruiting 84 community-dwelling individuals aged 60 and above from two community health service centers in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China. Participants will be allocated into a usual care group and a dementia literacy intervention group. The intervention group will receive a multi-themed and multi-format dementia literacy intervention trial through community knowledge seminars, educational videos, WeChat group information push and answer questions, etc. Intervention themes will include dementia knowledge, attitudes toward dementia, and self-management behaviors for preventing and managing dementia. Data will be collected before the start of the intervention study and three months after the intervention study. The primary outcome measures will include dementia knowledge literacy, dementia attitude literacy, and dementia self-management behavior literacy. Data will be managed and analyzed using SPSS 26.0. Ethical approval for this study was granted on 12 June 2023. Discussion: If proven effective, this dementia literacy intervention program could be widely applied in primary community health centers to enhance dementia literacy among Chinese elderly. Also, the dementia literacy intervention program will provide a reference and a basis for further research on enhancing dementia literacy intervention programs for the elderly. Trial registration: Registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (NO. ChiCTR2300074788).