Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors

Area of Science:

• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Public health
• Health disparities

Background:

• Dementia affects diverse populations, with social determinants of health (SDOH) playing a significant role.
• SDOH are non-medical factors influencing health outcomes, arising from micro-, meso-, and macro-level interactions.
• This study focuses on SDOH's contribution to dementia disparities in Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Arabic populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of social determinants of health (SDOH) on dementia-associated variables within Arabic populations in the MENA region.
• To identify specific SDOH factors contributing to dementia disparities in this demographic.
• To highlight the need for culturally sensitive research and interventions regarding dementia in Arabic communities.

Main Methods:

• A systematic scoping review of literature was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science.
• The review followed the Arksey and O'Malley (2007) framework for articles published in English.
• Demographic and SDOH factors related to dementia in the MENA region were summarized and assessed.

Main Results:

• Seven full-text studies were selected after screening 63 articles and excluding 56.
• Specific SDOH factors were associated with variations in dementia risk, age of onset, and progression in Arabic populations.
• Family cohesion, socio-economic status, literacy, and healthcare access emerged as key factors, potentially interacting with broader structural influences.

Conclusions:

• A significant lack of research on SDOH and dementia in Arabic populations was identified.
• Understanding SDOH is critical for developing culturally appropriate interventions.
• Effective policymaking for dementia care in the MENA region requires addressing these social determinants.