Community health professionals’ dementia knowledge, attitudes and care approach: a cross-sectional survey in Changsha, China

Abstract

BackgroundCommunity health professionals play a significant role in dementia care. However, little is known about community health professionals’ capacity in dementia care, especially in low and middle-income countries. The aim of the present study was to assess community health professionals’ dementia knowledge, attitudes and care approach in China, a country with the largest population of people with dementia in the world and where community based dementia care services are much needed.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted. 450 health professionals were recruited into the study using random sampling from community health service centres in Changsha, China. Their knowledge, attitudes and care approach were assessed utilising the Chinese version of the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale, Dementia Care Attitude Scale and Approach to Advanced Dementia Care Questionnaire respectively.ResultsA total of 390 participants returned the questionnaire (response rate 87%). Age, education, professional group and care experience were associated with knowledge scores, and overall dementia knowledge was poor. Attitudes were generally positive and influenced by age, professional group, gender and care experience. The experience of caring for people with dementia was positively associated with a person-centred care approach, although the participants tended not to use a person-centred care approach. A statistically significant association was found between knowledge and attitudes (r = 0.379, P < 0.001), and between attitudes and care approach (r = 0.143, P < 0.001). However, dementia knowledge has no relationship with a person-centred approach.ConclusionsCommunity health professionals showed generally positive attitudes towards people with dementia. However, they demonstrated poor dementia knowledge and tended not to use a person-centred care approach. The results suggest that a multifaceted approach consisting of educational interventions for community health professionals, and policy and resource development to meet the demand for community dementia care services, is urgently needed in China.

Public awareness and knowledge of factors associated with dementia in China

“…Several characteristics, including women, age < 40 years, a high level of education, white-collar job, and having contact with individuals with dementia, were associated with a more extensive understanding of dementia, which is partially consistent with previous surveys that were conducted in China [27,36]. Women often have a better understanding of dementia in both China and other countries [27,35,37]. Individuals with a high level of education or previous contact with dementia patients had significantly better knowledge of risk and protective factors for dementia [36,38], which may be attributable to a higher probability of accessing information about dementia.…”

“…Several sociodemographic characteristics were independently associated with the knowledge of dementia risk and prevention factors. Several characteristics, including women, age < 40 years, a high level of education, white-collar job, and having contact with individuals with dementia, were associated with a more extensive understanding of dementia, which is partially consistent with previous surveys that were conducted in China [27,36]. Women often have a better understanding of dementia in both China and other countries [27,35,37].…”

“…However, insufficient awareness and knowledge of the potential of dementia prevention among the Chinese public has been a substantial obstacle [25]. Some studies evaluated the Chinese population's overall understanding of dementia, suggesting that the recognition of dementia needs to be improved [26,27]. The awareness of specific protective and risk factors that are associated with dementia among the Chinese population is deficient.…”

Comparison of attitudes towards persons with dementia, knowledge of dementia and ageism amongst students in Taiwan and Japan: A cross‐sectional study

“…The KAP (knowledge, attitude and practices) model suggests that practices are determined by attitude and knowledge of individual regarding these practices independently . A previous study on community health professionals in China demonstrated a moderate correlation between knowledge and attitude regarding dementia ( r = .379, P < .001) . University students in a health‐related field of study demonstrated higher knowledge than their counterparts who were in a non‐health‐related field of study .…”

A comparative study of dementia knowledge, attitudes and care approach among Chinese nursing and medical students

“…To provide best-practice dementia care, health professionals also need to engage in shared decision-making to complement their roles and foster client-centered treatment and care [8,10]. However, numerous studies have found that many health professionals lack knowledge of risk factors, symptoms, treatment, management and care approach for dementia [11][12][13]. Health professionals also demonstrate inappropriate attitudes towards dementia [12,14].…”