Research by Professors Seunghoon Lee and Sooyoung Lee Team at Myongji Hospital
The more people know about dementia, the greater their tolerance toward dementia patients appears to be. This serves as evidence that dementia education for the general public is both effective and necessary.
Professor Seunghoon Lee (left) and Professor Sooyoung Lee, Department of Psychiatry, Myongji Hospital. [Photo by Myongji Hospital]
On the 10th, Professor Seunghoon Lee and Professor Sooyoung Lee from the Department of Psychiatry at Myongji Hospital, in collaboration with the Central Dementia Center, announced that a survey of 1,200 adults on "levels of dementia-related knowledge and attitudes toward dementia patients" revealed these findings.
In this study, dementia knowledge levels were assessed through 20 questions spanning four areas: causes, symptoms and diagnosis, prevention and treatment, and policies. Attitudes toward dementia patients were analyzed in two domains: the "inclusive aspect," which reflects feelings of fulfillment in helping or caring for dementia patients, and the "emotional aspect," which indicates emotional states such as anxiety or sympathy toward dementia patients.
The study found that the average dementia knowledge score among Korean citizens was 77 out of 100. Notably, those in the top 25% of dementia knowledge levels (85 points or higher) showed 20% greater inclusiveness compared to those in the bottom 25% (70 points). Dementia knowledge levels did not have a significant effect on the emotional aspect.
Professor Lee Seunghoon explained, "A high level of dementia knowledge seems to serve as a foundation for understanding dementia and the condition of patients, positively influencing the tolerance toward dementia patients." He added, "On the other hand, the fact that dementia knowledge levels do not affect the emotional aspect is likely because, in Asian societies, the negative image of dementia is stigmatized, and feelings of fear and anxiety toward dementia patients remain unresolved."
Regarding correct answer rates by dementia knowledge category, policy-related questions had the highest correct rate at 87.9%, followed by causes (76.8%), prevention and treatment (74.3%), and symptoms and diagnosis (69.8%). Among individual questions, the correct answer rates for "early diagnosis and treatment can delay the progression of dementia" and "regular exercise prevents dementia" were high at 95.2% and 85%, respectively. The research team analyzed that this reflects the effectiveness of various dementia prevention education and promotional activities.
Professor Lee emphasized, "This study demonstrated that accurate information and knowledge about dementia lead to attitudes that positively embrace dementia patients." He further stressed, "To create a more dementia-friendly social atmosphere, it is necessary to take diverse approaches, including not only dementia education but also social environment improvements and promotional activities aimed at reducing the stigma associated with dementia."
This study was published in the SCI-level international academic journal Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
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