Alzheimer's disease knowledge among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Issue 1 (16th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jernigan, Meghan; Boyd, Amanda D.; Noonan, Carolyn; Buchwald, Dedra
• Is Part Of: Alzheimer's & dementia. Volume 6:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-12-16
• Subjects: Alaska Native -- Alzheimer's disease -- American Indian -- dementia -- education -- health communication -- Indigenous; Dementia -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Alzheimer's disease -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; 616.831
• DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12101
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-8737

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: The population of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) aged 65 and older is growing rapidly, raising concerns about Alzheimer's disease (AD) in their communities. Methods: We distributed a survey incorporating the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale to 341 AI/AN community members attending cultural events. We computed average adjusted predictions and 95% confidence intervals from a linear regression model, used joint F tests to examine differences in scores according to demographic variables, calculated the percentage of correct items for each participant, and computed domain‐specific averages across the sample. Results: The average score was 19.0 (maximum 30); the average percentage of correct responses was 63%. Higher scores were associated with education but not with age, sex, or rural versus urban residence. Low scores were observed for items on caregiving and disease risk. Discussion: Participants were moderately well informed about AD, but specific knowledge domains call for community outreach and education.