Survey in Shanghai communities: the public awareness of and attitude towards dementia

Objective: To assess the knowledge of and attitudes towards dementia among Shanghai residents. Methods: A 10-item optional questionnaire relating to dementia was developed for the project. Questionnaires were randomly distributed to 1806 families, each family had one respondent. Results: A total of 1531 questionnaires were available. Among them, 45% considered 'dementia is a normal part of ageing' and 29-41% correctly identified the symptoms of mild dementia. Of the respondents, 43% indicated that they would not be ashamed of having a demented relative, and 45% did not think that medical care benefited those with dementia. Subgroups analyses showed there was a wider agreement on the concept 'dementia is a normal part of ageing' in the elderly or the females with primary school education background than the counterpart. According to the educational level, the sequence (from the highest to the lowest) of the proportion of respondents who considered a demented relative to be shameful was as follows: middle school group (60.5%) > primary school group (41.3%) > university group (25.2%); according to age group: adult group (59.8%) > elderly group (37.3%) > youth group (30.2%). There was a higher identification rate of the symptoms of mild dementia in women than in men (P < 0.01). According to the educational level, the sequence (from the highest to the lowest) of identification rate was: university group > primary school group > middle school group; according to age group: elderly group > youth group > adult group. There was a significant difference among groups (P < 0.01). Multivariate regression results suggested that the sex, educational level and age had an influence on the concept of 'dementia is part of normal ageing'; the feeling of shame of having demented relatives was influenced by the educational level and age. Conclusion: Lack of correct knowledge about dementia and discrimination of dementia are highly prevalent among urban residents in Shanghai.