title: Demographic and contextual factors related to knowledge about Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: Accurate knowledge about Alzheimer's disease (AD) is essential to address the public health impact of dementia. This study examined AD knowledge in 794 people who completed the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale and questions about their background and experience with AD. Whereas overall knowledge was fair, there was significant variability across groups. Knowledge was highest among professionals working in the dementia field, lower for dementia caregivers and older adults, and lowest for senior center staff and undergraduate students. Across groups, respondents knew the most about assessment, treatment, and management of AD and knew the least about risk factors and prevention. Greater knowledge was associated with working in the dementia field, having family members with AD, attending a related class or support group, and exposure to dementia-related information from multiple sources. Understanding where gaps in dementia knowledge exist can guide education initiatives to increase disease awareness and improve supportive services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63130, USA. bcarpenter@wustl.edu
authors.forename: Brian D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: Sarah M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Zoller
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balsis
authors.forename: Poorni G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Otilingam
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gatz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult