J Prev Med Public Health.  2018 Jul;51(4):188-195. 10.3961/jpmph.17.084.

How Much Do Older Adults Living Alone in Rural South Korea Know About Dementia?

• Kim MS
• Shin DS
• Choi YJ
• Kim JS

• KMID: 2418817
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.17.084

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to examine the level of dementia knowledge of older Korean adults living alone in rural areas and to identify related factors.
METHODS
A cross-sectional descriptive design was applied. The participants were 231 older adults living alone who were recruited from 12 of the 13 primary health care posts in the rural area of Chuncheon. Participants' level of dementia knowledge was assessed using the Dementia Knowledge Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the t-test, analysis of variance, chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney test were applied.
RESULTS
Participants' mean age was 77.3±5.4 years, and women comprised 79.7% of the sample. Over half of the participants (61.9%) had no formal education, and all the participants were enrolled in Medical Aid. The participants' average percentage of correct answers was 61.6%. The highest rate (94.4%) was for the item "Dementia can change one's personal character." The item with the lowest proportion of correct answers was "Dementia is not treatable" (23.4%). Dementia knowledge was significantly associated with age, education, health coverage, source of living expenses, and dementia risk.
CONCLUSIONS
Dementia knowledge among Korean rural older adults living alone was relatively low. Participants' misconceptions about symptoms and treatment could hinder them from seeking early treatment. The results of this study suggest the need for active outreach and health care delivery for rural older adults living alone in South Korea.

Keyword

Aged; Dementia; Knowledge; Rural health; Korea

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Delivery of Health Care
Dementia*
Education
Female
Gangwon-do
Health Education
Humans
Korea*
Primary Health Care
Rural Health