Press Release
Survey Results on "Common Knowledge and Attitude towards Dementia among the Hong Kong Public"
20 September 2005
The following press release is jointly issued by School of Public Health of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Elderly Health Services of the Department of Health:
Since 21st September is the World Alzheimer's Day and the theme of this year is "Challenging the Stigma of Dementia Worldwide" , the Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing, School of Public Health of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Elderly Health Services of the Department of Health have jointly conducted a survey on "Common Knowledge and Attitude towards Dementia among the Hong Kong Public" .
The aim of this survey was: (a) To explore the public's knowledge and attitude towards dementia; and (b) To understand the public's personal experience in relation to dementia. It is hoped that the results from this survey would provide information for the development and design of public education program, strengthen understanding of dementia among the general public, and help related departments and organizations to determine their course of action. The Asia Pacific Research Centre of the Chinese University of Hong Kong was commissioned to conduct the survey. A total of 1002 Hong Kong people participated in the study through a phone survey. Respondents were asked on their knowledge and attitude towards dementia, as well as their personal experience in relation to dementia.
Respondents' Personal Experience in Relation to Dementia
About 15% of the respondents indicated that they had demented close relatives at the time of the interview, and over 80% pointed out that the illness had resulted in varying degree of distress both to themselves and to their families.
Respondents' Attitude towards and Knowledge about Dementia
Our results showed that a great majority of the respondents (over 90%) did not mind disclosing that they have demented relative should it be the situation.
More than 80% of the respondents indicated that they knew what dementia is. Results from the present survey, however, showed that respondents had a variety of misconceptions about dementia and its symptoms. Over 90% of the respondents could identify "losing one's way frequently" as an early symptom of dementia. However, only 60-70% could, identify "being able to remember what happened 20 years ago, yet forget what one had for breakfast" , "forget simple expressions" and "have difficulty with financial transactions" as early symptoms of dementia. On the other hand, quite a number of respondents mistakenly identified symptoms of late stage dementia such as "inappropriate toileting behaviour" (50%) as early symptoms of dementia.. About 60% of the respondents believed that they did not need to consult a doctor even if "being able to remember what happened 20 years ago, yet forget what one had for breakfast" , "forget simple expressions" , and "have difficulty with financial transactions" occurs. About 15% the respondents indicated that they would not consult a doctor even if "losing one's way frequently" happens. Some of the respondents were yet to grasp proper understanding of preventive measures for dementia. Only some of the respondents could identify "frequent exercise" (80%), "doing voluntary work" (about 75%), "playing mahjong" (70%) and "attending to food consumption, consuming more vegetables and less greasy food" (60%) as measures that can help to prevent dementia. And, about 30% of the respondents mistakenly believed that "Taking brain nourishing supplements / vitamins / nutrition supplements" would help prevent dementia. There are no major differences between the responses of those who had demented relatives and those who had not, the former did not necessarily display better understanding of dementia.
Recommendations
Based on the above findings, we have the following observations and recommendations: Dementia does not seem to be a stigma as 90% response do not mind letting others know if they have a demented relative. However there are still much misconception about the disease. We recommend early medical consultation for those who suspect their family members may be having dementia, such that medical treatment and psychological intervention, as well as support for family members of the demented can be provided as early as possible. Cross-sectoral collaboration among the government, NGOs, and professional groups should be encouraged to launch public education program that aims at increasing understanding of healthy living, and of dementia, as well as to promote a prevention and early detection of dementia. The general public should learn more about dementia, ways of prevention, and ways to seek help should they suspect that their family members are having dementia. More research should be conducted on dementia, in order to gain better understanding of the situation of dementia in Hong Kong. The resultant findings would aid public education and strengthen the community's understanding of dementia and assist concerned departments and organization in determining their course of action.
