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

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. 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. 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. 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. 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.