| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: Dementia is on the rise due to increasing proportion of old people in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Although dementia is misattributed to normal ageing or supernatural causes in SSA, it is a brain disease with well-established etiologies. Limited knowledge and understanding of dementia means that many older people are suffering without seeking help and are undiagnosed and untreated. Detecting dementia early will allow patient and the family to seek help for treatment initiation, which is important in delaying disease progression, improving patient’s quality of life and reducing caregiver’s burden. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with dementia and to describe the knowledge of the disease among older adults attending ROTOM Health Center-Mukono, Central Uganda.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using quantitative methods. A total of 267 older adults attending ROTOM health center-Mukono were interviewed between 1 April to 15 May 2022. Using Early Dementia Questionnaire (EDQ) and Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS) data was collected, entered into EpiData and analysed using SPSS. Logistic regression analyses were done.
Results: Dementia was 46.2% in the sample. The most common symptoms of dementia in the order of their severity were memory symptoms, 6.1% (n =16); physical symptoms, 1.9% (n = 5); and concentration symptoms, 1.1% (n = 3). Bivariate analysis showed that dementia was significantly associated with age >85 years (prevalence ratio, PR=2.42, p < .001), being married (PR=0.70, p < .026), secondary/tertiary level of education (PR=0.54, p < .004), occasional/non-believer (PR=1.85, p < .001), smoker/ex-smoker (PR=1.46, p < .013), occasional/no exercise (PR=3.28, p < .001) and hypertension (PR=0.70, p < .019). Only older age (aPR=1.88, p < .001) and occasional/non-believer (aPR=1.61, p =.001) remained significantly related to dementia in a multivariable model. The study also found that 8% of the participants had optimal knowledge of dementia.
Conclusion: There is high burden of dementia among older persons attending ROTOM health center-Mukono. Factors associated with dementia are older age and being an ocassional/non-believer. Knowledge of dementia among older adults is low. There is need to promote integrated early dementia screening, care and educational program in primary care. Spiritual support would be a rewarding investment in the lives of the ageing population. | en_US |
