Matulessij, T. (Tessa) (2019) Health Beliefs and Attitudes towards Dementia and the Intention to Change Health Behavior for Dementia Risk Reduction : a cross-sectional study among residents of the municipality of Groningen. thesis, Medicine.
Full text available on request.Abstract
Background There is accumulating evidence that approximately one third of dementia cases can be prevented by management of modifiable risk factors, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol use and smoking. Positive health beliefs and attitudes towards dementia and dementia prevention may encourage preventive health behaviors. Therefore, this study aimed to examine attitudes and health beliefs towards dementia risk reduction among the Dutch general population, and secondly, to investigate the association between health beliefs towards dementia risk reduction and the intention to change lifestyle related risk factors for dementia among the Dutch general population with poor lifestyle habits. Methods A cross-sectional survey among 655 residents of the municipality of Groningen aged 30-80 year measured lifestyle habits, the intention to change health behavior and attitudes and health beliefs towards dementia and dementia risk reduction. The association between health beliefs and attitudes towards dementia risk reduction and the intention to change health behavior were examined with multiple logistic regression analyses. Results Less than half (44%) of the respondents agreed with the statement “Changing my lifestyle and health habits can help me reduce my chance of developing dementia”. Overall positive attitudes and health beliefs towards dementia risk reduction are associated with the intention to change physical activity (OR 1.058, 95% CI: 1.031-1.087; p = 0.000), diet (OR 1.049, 95% CI: 1.024-1.073) and alcohol use (OR 1.045, 95% CI: 1.006-1.086; p = 0.022). The subscales perceived benefits and cues to action seems most important for the intention to change. Conclusion Attitudes and health beliefs towards dementia and dementia risk reduction in the Netherlands are poor and need to be improved. Dementia prevention should focus on education of the general population to improve their knowledge about dementia in general and the risk and protective factors for dementia. Further research should examine effective techniques to improve health beliefs and whether improving health beliefs and attitudes towards dementia and dementia risk reduction will lead to behavior changes in order to prevent or postpone the onset of dementia.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Thesis) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Supervisors: and Smidt, Dr. N. | Department of Epidemiology UMCG and Vrijsen, Drs. J. | Department of Epidemiology UMCG |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 25 Jun 2020 10:41 |
| Last Modified: | 25 Jun 2020 10:41 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/234 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |