Visualising Dementia Knowledge for Educating Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A 2-Year Cross-Sectional Survey of a...

We aimed to assess Japanese community members' knowledge of dementia and its association with sex, age, and caregiving experience through multiple correspondence analysis. Clarifying these relationships can inform future efforts to determine target strategies and the audience for disseminating dementia knowledge effectively.

Data were obtained from a prior cross-sectional study (2021 and 2023) involving 466 middle-aged and older adults (>40 years) in Japan. A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire collected information on dementia knowledge, age, sex, and caregiving experience, using the Japanese-Language Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS-J; 18 items).

The mean DKAS-J score was 16.2 ± 7.9. Higher scores were associated with being younger, female, employed, and more highly educated, living in Aichi, and having caregiving experience. Half of the DKAS-J items had correct response rates of ≤60%, indicating knowledge gaps. The lowest correct response rates were observed for items related to behavioural symptoms and unmet needs. Significant differences in knowledge were found among individuals based on age, sex, and caregiving experience. Females aged ≥75 years and males in general demonstrated lower knowledge levels. Individuals with caregiving experience at work had significantly higher correct response rates across many items. Multiple correspondence analysis revealed specific knowledge clusters linked to caregiving experience and younger age. Work-related caregiving was associated with knowledge of dementia, while family caregiving was associated with broader dementia knowledge. Work experience was associated with treatment, symptoms, and family experience to life.

Dementia education should be targeted and content-specific, considering the backgrounds of males, older adults aged >75 years, and experienced caregivers.