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Research article
Joyce Vrijsen
Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1506-2266
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background Individuals with a parental family history of dementia have an increased risk of developing dementia because they share their genes as well as their psychosocial behaviour. Due to this increased risk and their experience with dementia, they may be particularly eager to receive information regarding dementia risk reduction (DRR). This study evaluated the knowledge, beliefs and attitudes towards dementia and DRR among descendants of people with dementia.
Method Using a semi-structured topic guide, three focus group discussions were conducted consisting of 12 female (80%) and 3 male (20%) descendants of people with dementia with a mean age of 48.8 ± 12.0 years. Focus group discussions were audio recorded and transcribed. Each transcript was analysed thoroughly, and where appropriate, a code was generated and assigned by two researchers independently. Then, similar codes were grouped together and categorized into themes.
Results The items in the topic guide could only be addressed after participants had been given the opportunity to share their experiences of having a parent with dementia. Participants were unaware or uncertain about the possibility of reducing the risk of developing dementia and therefore hesitant to assess their dementia risk without treatment options in sight. Moreover, participants indicated that their general practitioner only gave some information on heritability, not on DRR. Although participants identified a large number of modifiable risk factors as a group during the group discussions, they were eager to receive more information on dementia and DRR. In the end, participants adopted a more positive attitude towards a DRR program and provided suggestions for the development of future DRR programs.
Conclusions Although the research aim was to evaluate the knowledge, beliefs and attitudes towards dementia and DRR, sharing experiences of having a parent with dementia seemed a prerequisite for considering participants’ own risk of developing dementia and participating in a DRR program. Knowledge of dementia and DRR was limited. Due to unawareness of the possibility of reducing dementia risk, participants were hesitant about assessing their dementia risk. Group discussions positively changed the perception of dementia risk assessment and participants’ willingness to participate in a DRR program.
Keywords
Focus Groups, Qualitative Research, Primary Prevention, Dementia, Attitude, Health Beliefs, Awareness, Knowledge, Risk Reduction Behaviour, Dementia Risk Reduction, Life Style
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CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at BMC Public Health.
Version 1
Posted 02 Mar, 2021
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 26 Apr, 2021
Review #2 received
Received 20 Apr, 2021
Review #1 received
Received 18 Apr, 2021
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 05 Apr, 2021
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 31 Mar, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 13 Mar, 2021
Editor assigned
On 27 Feb, 2021
Submission checks complete
On 27 Feb, 2021
Editor invited
On 24 Feb, 2021
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See the published version of this preprint at BMC Public Health.
This is a preprint, a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
Joyce Vrijsen
Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1506-2266
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at BMC Public Health.
Version 1
Posted 02 Mar, 2021
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 26 Apr, 2021
Review #2 received
Received 20 Apr, 2021
Review #1 received
Received 18 Apr, 2021
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 05 Apr, 2021
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 31 Mar, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 13 Mar, 2021
Editor assigned
On 27 Feb, 2021
Submission checks complete
On 27 Feb, 2021
Editor invited
On 24 Feb, 2021
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
View the published article at BMC Public Health.
Background Individuals with a parental family history of dementia have an increased risk of developing dementia because they share their genes as well as their psychosocial behaviour. Due to this increased risk and their experience with dementia, they may be particularly eager to receive information regarding dementia risk reduction (DRR). This study evaluated the knowledge, beliefs and attitudes towards dementia and DRR among descendants of people with dementia.
Method Using a semi-structured topic guide, three focus group discussions were conducted consisting of 12 female (80%) and 3 male (20%) descendants of people with dementia with a mean age of 48.8 ± 12.0 years. Focus group discussions were audio recorded and transcribed. Each transcript was analysed thoroughly, and where appropriate, a code was generated and assigned by two researchers independently. Then, similar codes were grouped together and categorized into themes.
Results The items in the topic guide could only be addressed after participants had been given the opportunity to share their experiences of having a parent with dementia. Participants were unaware or uncertain about the possibility of reducing the risk of developing dementia and therefore hesitant to assess their dementia risk without treatment options in sight. Moreover, participants indicated that their general practitioner only gave some information on heritability, not on DRR. Although participants identified a large number of modifiable risk factors as a group during the group discussions, they were eager to receive more information on dementia and DRR. In the end, participants adopted a more positive attitude towards a DRR program and provided suggestions for the development of future DRR programs.
Conclusions Although the research aim was to evaluate the knowledge, beliefs and attitudes towards dementia and DRR, sharing experiences of having a parent with dementia seemed a prerequisite for considering participants’ own risk of developing dementia and participating in a DRR program. Knowledge of dementia and DRR was limited. Due to unawareness of the possibility of reducing dementia risk, participants were hesitant about assessing their dementia risk. Group discussions positively changed the perception of dementia risk assessment and participants’ willingness to participate in a DRR program.
This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
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