Clarissa M Giebel1,2, Angela Worden2, David Challis2, David Jolley2, Kamaldeep Singh Bhui3, Ahmed Lambat4, Eleni Kampanellou2, Nitin Purandare1. 1. a Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology , The University of Manchester , Manchester , UK. 2. b Personal Social Services Research Unit , The University of Manchester , Manchester , UK. 3. c Centre for Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London , London , UK. 4. d LMCP Care Link , Manchester , UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: South Asian older adults are represented less frequently in mainstream mental health services or those for people with dementia. This study aimed to explore in detail the perceptions of dementia (symptoms, causes, consequences, treatments) held by South Asians and to discern how these understandings vary by age and by the self-recognition of memory problems, as these influence help-seeking behaviour. METHODS: Participants were allocated to three groups: younger adults; older adults; and older adults with subjective memory problems. They completed the semi-structured Barts Explanatory Model Inventory for Dementia schedule, whilst older adults also completed measures of cognition (MMSE), and depression (GDS). Interviews were conducted in English, Gujarati or Urdu. RESULTS: Groups were similar in identifying unusual forgetting and confusion as the most frequent symptoms; stress and age as the most frequent causes; and talking to your GP/nurse, taking medication, and talking to family and friends as the most frequent treatments. Younger adults more often knew about risk factors and reported practical consequences more than older adults. Older adults with subjective memory problems were more likely to describe sleep related problems or symptoms commonly associated with depression. They more often cited as causes of dementia lack of sleep, side effects of medication and medical reasons, and mentioned religion as a means to cope. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight variability in perceptions of dementia across the South Asian Community and identify specific areas where dementia awareness could be raised in South Asian sub-groups to improve timely diagnosis, treatment outcomes and service access.
BACKGROUND: South Asian older adults are represented less frequently in mainstream mental health services or those for people with dementia. This study aimed to explore in detail the perceptions of dementia (symptoms, causes, consequences, treatments) held by South Asians and to discern how these understandings vary by age and by the self-recognition of memory problems, as these influence help-seeking behaviour. METHODS: Participants were allocated to three groups: younger adults; older adults; and older adults with subjective memory problems. They completed the semi-structured Barts Explanatory Model Inventory for Dementia schedule, whilst older adults also completed measures of cognition (MMSE), and depression (GDS). Interviews were conducted in English, Gujarati or Urdu. RESULTS: Groups were similar in identifying unusual forgetting and confusion as the most frequent symptoms; stress and age as the most frequent causes; and talking to your GP/nurse, taking medication, and talking to family and friends as the most frequent treatments. Younger adults more often knew about risk factors and reported practical consequences more than older adults. Older adults with subjective memory problems were more likely to describe sleep related problems or symptoms commonly associated with depression. They more often cited as causes of dementia lack of sleep, side effects of medication and medical reasons, and mentioned religion as a means to cope. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight variability in perceptions of dementia across the South Asian Community and identify specific areas where dementia awareness could be raised in South Asian sub-groups to improve timely diagnosis, treatment outcomes and service access.
Entities:
Keywords:
Dementia; South Asians; ethnic minority; explanatory models; illness representations
Authors: Tim Schmachtenberg; Jessica Monsees; Wolfgang Hoffmann; Neeltje van den Berg; Ulrike Stentzel; Jochen René Thyrian Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2020-05-26 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Rita V Krishnamurthi; Ekta Singh Dahiya; Reshmi Bala; Gary Cheung; Susan Yates; Sarah Cullum Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-01-27 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Tim Schmachtenberg; Jessica Monsees; Wolfgang Hoffmann; Neeltje van den Berg; Ulrike Stentzel; Jochen René Thyrian Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2020-10-15 Impact factor: 3.295