Public knowledge about Alzheimer disease in Mecca Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Raising the general population knowledge of Alzheimer's disease is crucial for optimizing care and ultimately enhancing the quality of life of people diagnosed and their caregivers. Aim: To assess knowledge among the general population in Makkah Region about symptoms, diagnosis, causes, course, life impact, care giving, and management of Alzheimer disease. Material and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted during July to August 2018 in three main cities of Makkah Region, i.e., Makkah, Jeddah, and Taif, Saudi Arabia. Two to three mosques and/or malls were selected randomly from a list of all mosques and malls in each city, and then every fifth subject was selected using a systematic random technique, entering the mall or getting out from the mosques. Both genders, aged 18 years or more and able to understand Arabic were included. Valid and reliable Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) was used to assess knowledge about the diseases, in addition to socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. Results: The study included 862 adult participants. Their age ranged between 18 and 65 years with a mean ± standard deviation (SD) of 31.2 ± 10.3 years. History of having a relative with Alzheimer's disease was mentioned by 20.8% of the participants. Overall, the percentage of total Alzheimer's disease knowledge score ranged between 26.7 and 100% with a mean of 58.5%, median of 60%, mode of 56.7%, and standard deviation of ± 11.5%. There was a significant positive correlation between participant's age and their knowledge regarding Alzheimer's disease (Spearman's correlation coefficient "r" = 0.099, p = 0.004). The highest known subscale of Alzheimer's disease was assessment (mean percentage was 62.21%), followed by treatment (62.09), care giving (61.83%) and course of the disease (60.99%) whereas the lowest known subscale was symptoms (53.25%). Participants who reported a history of having a relative with Alzheimer's disease were more knowledgeable regarding symptoms than those who did not had such history (mean ranks were 470.48 and 421.28, respectively), p = 0.014. Conclusion: Knowledge of the general population in Makkah Region is deficient, particularly regarding symptoms, risk factors and life impacts. Therefore, health education campaigns are required for general public in this regards.

Assessment of knowledge of Alzheimer's disease among medical students at Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia

“…Another study conducted on general population of Makkah; Saudi Arabia revealed a moderate level of knowledge. However, the study revealed that having a relative with AD was not associated with an increased knowledge level regarding AD (Alhumaidi et al, 2020).…”

“…As well as behavioral changes and eventually a decrease in the ability to do the simplest tasks (Ballard et al, 2011;Breijyeh & Karaman, 2020;Studart Neto & Nitrini, 2016). Alzheimer's disease is a rising health problem, with an estimated 6.4% in Saudi Arabia (al Arifi, 2020) and it has been linked with many risks' factors that contribute to the development and progression of disease such as aging, genetic defects, infections, vascular diseases and environmental factors (Alhumaidi et al, 2020;Breijyeh & Karaman, 2020). AD is most prevalent in individuals aged 60 years and most cases of Alzheimer's disease are sporadic.…”

Pengaruh Edukasi terhadap Pengetahuan Masyarkat Tentang Deteksi Dini Alzheimer di Kelurahan Labuh Baru Pekanbaru

“…Penyakit alzheimer yang paling sering adalah demensia yang ditandai dengan hilangnya fungsi kognitif, berpikir, mengingat, menalar dan kemampuan perilaku untuk melakukan aktivitas atau kegiatan dasar sehingga dapat mengganggu kehidupan sehari-hari seseorang. Sebagian besar kasus alzheimer terjadi setelah usia 60 tahun dan hampir 3% kasus pada pria dan wanita terjadi pada usia 65 -74 tahun (Alhumaidi et al, 2020).…”

“…Penderita alzheimer secara khas akan menunjukkan gejala gangguan memori dan kemampuan pengambilan keputusan serta masalah lainnya seperti perilaku dan kemampuan verbal mereka. Masalah lainnya yang dihadapi oleh penderita alzheimer antara lain jatuh, kehilangan martabat dan rasa hormat, pelecehan, penelantaran serta eksploitasi (Alhumaidi et al, 2020). Setiap tahun insiden alzheimer di seluruh dunia mengalami peningkatan dengan cepat.…”

“…Langkah pertama yang dapat dilakukan untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan masyarakat adalah dengan menilai pengetahuan masyarakat serta mengidentifikasi kesenjangan pengetahuan menggunakan alat penilaian yang andal. Peningkatan pengetahuan masyarakat juga penting untuk membantu pencegahan dan pengobatan pada alzheimer (Alhumaidi et al, 2020).…”