Socio-Cultural Perceptions and Representations of Dementia in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo: The EDAC Survey

Overview

Journal Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra

Publisher Karger

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 2012 May 24

PMID 22619665

Citations 14

Authors

Angelique Faure-Delage

Alain Maxime Mouanga

Pascal Mbelesso

Andre Tabo

Bebene Bandzouzi

Catherine-Marie Dubreuil

Pierre-Marie Preux

Jean-Pierre Clement

Philippe Nubukpo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Dementia will concern more and more people in the developing countries, but the perception people have of dementia in these areas has not yet been studied.

Method: During a general population survey (EDAC) carried out in Brazzaville (Republic of Congo), 27 elderly persons suspected of having dementia and 31 of their relatives, 90 cognitively impaired elderly persons and 92 of their relatives, as well as 33 hospital workers were interviewed according to the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue.

Results: Item prominence ratings indicate that the attention was mainly on the emotional and socio-economic consequences (scores >1.0 out of 5 points). Ageing and mental stress are the main perceived causes. Hospital workers are more aware of public stigma.

Conclusion: The socio-cultural components of the dementia phenomenon have to be taken into account to enforce public health and social measures.

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