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Public Knowledge about Dementia in China: A National WeChat-Based Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Dan Liu

    (Brain and Cognition Research Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
    Big Data Science and Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China)

  • Guirong Cheng

    (Brain and Cognition Research Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
    Big Data Science and Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Lina An

    (Brain and Cognition Research Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Xuguang Gan

    (Brain and Cognition Research Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Yulian Wu

    (Brain and Cognition Research Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China)

  • Bo Zhang

    (Brain and Cognition Research Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China)

  • Sheng Hu

    (School of Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China)

  • Yan Zeng

    (Brain and Cognition Research Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
    Big Data Science and Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China)

  • Liang Wu

    (School of Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
    National Engineering Research Center for GIS, Wuhan 430074, China)

Abstract

Dementia is a serious public health problem. The more extensive dementia knowledge is, the more conducive it is to early prevention and treatment of dementia. However, no assessment of the general population’s dementia awareness has been conducted so far in China. Thus, this study assessed the national public knowledge of dementia based on mobile internet in China. We assessed 10,562 national respondents recruited based on the most popular social networking service in China, WeChat and analyzed the data using quantitative methods. The overall correct rate of total dementia knowledge was 63.14%. Only half of the participants (50.84%) could identify risk factors accurately. The level of dementia knowledge was positively associated with high education, city residency, and experience of exposure to information on dementia. The sandwich generation (aged 20–60 years) had the highest level of dementia knowledge. Chinese people were found to have a low level of knowledge about dementia, especially those aged over 60 years, with low education and living in rural areas. Further educational programs and campaigns are needed to improve dementia knowledge, with greater focus on the older population as the target audience, emphasis on dementia risk factors as educational content, correcting misconceptions about dementia, and providing more experience of exposure to dementia.

Suggested Citation

  • Dan Liu & Guirong Cheng & Lina An & Xuguang Gan & Yulian Wu & Bo Zhang & Sheng Hu & Yan Zeng & Liang Wu, 2019. "Public Knowledge about Dementia in China: A National WeChat-Based Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:21:p:4231-:d:282219
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bao-Liang Zhong & Shu-Lin Chen & Xin Tu & Yeates Conwell, 2017. "Loneliness and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: Findings From the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 72(1), pages 120-128.
    2. Tai Pong Lam & Kai Sing Sun & Hoi Yan Chan & Chak Sing Lau & Kwok Fai Lam & Robert Sanson-Fisher, 2019. "Perceptions of Chinese Towards Dementia in Hong Kong—Diagnosis, Symptoms and Impacts," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, January.
    3. Daniel Lüdecke & Olaf Knesebeck & Christopher Kofahl, 2016. "Public knowledge about dementia in Germany—results of a population survey," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 61(1), pages 9-16, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gary Cheung & April Yuehan Su & Karen Wu & Blake Yue & Susan Yates & Adrian Martinez Ruiz & Rita Krishnamurthi & Sarah Cullum, 2022. "The Understanding and Experiences of Living with Dementia in Chinese New Zealanders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-13, January.

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