The Public’s Perception of the Plausibility of Dementia Risk Factors Is Not Influenced by Scientific Evidence

Vol. 23, No. 3, 2007

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Original Research Article

The Public's Perception of the Plausibility of Dementia Risk Factors Is Not Influenced by Scientific Evidence
Lee-Fay Low, Kaarin Jane Anstey

Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University, Acton, Australia

Address of Corresponding Author

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2007;23:202-206 (DOI: 10.1159/000099038)

Key Words

Risk reduction, dementia
Dementia, public perception
Public health

Abstract

Background/Aim: The public know little about risk factors for dementia. The aim of this study was to explore belief structures underlying how plausible risk factors for dementia appear to the general public. Methods: Two thousand members of the Australian public were surveyed by telephone on their beliefs regarding dementia risk factors. Factor analysis was performed on 17 modifiable behaviours that were rated by participants as increasing, not changing or decreasing the risk of dementia. Results: Three factors were obtained - Health and Lifestyle, Activity, and Nutrition. Items loading on the Health and Lifestyle factor were management of cardiovascular risk factors, drinking more water, reducing stress, coffee and tea, and alcohol intake. Items loading on the Activity factor were mental, physical and social activity and getting out and about more. Items loading on the Nutrition factor were eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and estrogen, using non-aluminium cookware and taking vitamin and nutritional supplements. Factors were characterised by similarity of items, rather than level of scientific evidence of an association with dementia. Factor scale scores differed according to sociodemographic characteristics. Conclusions: The public do not process dementia risk factor information based on level of scientific evidence.

Author Contacts

Lee-Fay Low
Centre for Mental Health Research
Australian National University
Acton 0200, Australian Capital Territory (Australia)
Tel. +61 2 6125 3132, Fax +61 2 6125 0733, E-Mail lee-fay.low@anu.edu.au

Article Information

Accepted: November 25, 2006
Published online: January 25, 2007
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 15

Medline Abstract (ID 17259711)

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