Knowledge of dementia and factors associated with dementia knowledge among 35- to 65-year-old adults in Bandaragama Divisional Secretariat area in Sri Lanka- a lower- middle-income country.

INTRODUCTION: Sri Lanka is undergoing rapid population ageing due to increased life expectancy and declining fertility, resulting in a rising burden of dementia. Scarce local evidence on knowledge of community on dementia in Sri Lanka underscores the need for context-specific research to guide effective interventions. OBJECTIVES: To describe the level of knowledge of dementia and to identify factors associated with knowledge among adults aged 35 to 65 years residing in the Divisional Secretariat area of Bandaragama. METHOD: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 640 adults aged 35–65 years using probability-proportionate-to-size cluster sampling. Grama Niladhari divisions were used as clusters, with 30 participants per cluster across 22 clusters. Data was collected through a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. A dementia knowledge score and expert-defined cut-off for satisfactory knowledge were established. Associations between dichotomized independent variables and knowledge levels were examined using the chi-square test and Fisher’s Exact test at 5% significance level. Variables with P < 0.25 were entered into binary logistic regression. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) analysis was followed. RESULTS: Response rate was 97.5% with 238 males and 386 females. Median age of participants was 47 years (IQR 40–55). Out of the total 624 participants, 327(52.4%) had satisfactory knowledge of dementia while 297(47.6%) had unsatisfactory knowledge. In bivariable analysis, ethnicity (P < 0.001), educational level (p = 0.039), being currently employed (P < 0.001), having heard the word called “dementia” (P < 0.001), and contact with a person with dementia (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with satisfactory knowledge. Binary logistic regression showed individuals who had contact with a person with dementia (OR = 2.56; 95%CI = 1.64–4.01), and Sinhalese-ethnicity (OR = 1.15; 95%CI = 1.80–5.59), being male (OR = 0.59, 95%CI = 0.41–0.85) currently-employed (OR = 2.32; 95%CI = 1.56–3.44) had a higher probability of having satisfactory knowledge on dementia. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) analysis elicited similar associations. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of the participants demonstrated satisfactory knowledge of dementia. Sinhalese ethnicity, currently being employed, prior contact with a person with dementia, and female gender were associated with a higher knowledge irrespective of educational attainment and income. These findings suggest a need for enhanced community-based educational initiatives and consideration of incorporating dementia-related components into existing health services to promote awareness and support healthy aging.