Knowledge and attitudes about dementia and dementia genetics in a cohort of geriatric clinic attendees in Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundPopulation ageing in Africa will increase the burden of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias within the next few decades. Despite the potential for discovery of novel genetic risks in African populations, there is still a paucity of dementia genetic research among indigenous Africans.ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of elderly population in Nigeria about dementia and dementia genetics.MethodsOne hundred clinic attendees (aged ≥60 years) recruited at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria were surveyed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire consisting of the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS) and other items assessing knowledge and attitudes about dementia genetics.ResultsThe mean age (±SD) of participants was 71.0 (±7.1) years, and the mean (±SD) DKAS score was 8.87 (±10.84). Only 10% were considered to have good knowledge of dementia (i.e., DKAS score ≥26). Attempts by participants to translate "dementia" in their local languages revealed misleading themes in their perception of the condition. Of the 42 participants who claimed to know what dementia is, 32 (76.2%) of them had poor knowledge (i.e., DKAS <26). Twenty-one participants were aware of the existence of genetic risk factors for dementia, but none could name a dementia risk gene. Seventy participants expressed willingness to undergo genetic testing to assess their risk of dementia.ConclusionsThere is a poor level of knowledge about dementia and dementia genetics among the elderly population in Nigeria. Public health education and community engagement is important for maximizing the impact of dementia genetic studies in Africa.