Attitudes and knowledge of dementia in Pakistan: perceptions of the general public

Farina, Nicolas, Balouch, Sara, Willis, Rosalind and Zaidi, Asghar (2018) Attitudes and knowledge of dementia in Pakistan: perceptions of the general public. Alzheimer's Disease International Conference, Chicago 2018, , Chicago, United States. 26 - 29 Jul 2018.

Abstract

Over the coming decades, the prevalence of dementia is expected to rise due to an aging population, and this public health challenge will be particularly challenging in lower and middle-income countries. Pakistan is a typical exemplar which to date has had very little research and policy making to address the challenge of dementia.

This presentation reports on a part of a larger project funded by Age International, conducted in Pakistan about understandings of dementia among people who have a mild diagnosis of dementia, their family carers, the general population, and key stakeholders of the society.

Utilising specially designed vignettes of dementia patients, this presentation will analyse public attitudes and knowledge of dementia. A series of Focus Group Discussions were completed during 2017 with the public in two metropolitan centres in Pakistan (Lahore and Karachi) (n=40). An induction led thematic analysis was completed. It was identified that many participants had little awareness and knowledge about dementia, which led to incorrect and often harmful perceptions of cause and prognosis of dementia. The responsibility of care was often seen to rest with the family, which can in part be attributed to religious teachings and societal norms, but also lack of formal services. Importantly, participants were able to identify that greater awareness was needed, though this should be accompanied with improved healthcare facilities at the primary care level. This presentation will further highlight the themes identified from the research undertaken in the project and discuss the potential implications for future dementia awareness strategy.

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Contributors

Author: Rosalind Willis

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