Perceptions of community members in Australia about the risk factors, symptoms and impacts of dementia: A cross-sectional questionnaire study

Objectives: Ensuring that the Australian public has an accurate understanding of the characteristics of dementia may assist in improving timely detection of dementia. This cross- sectional questionnaire study aimed to examine community members' perceptions of the risk factors, symptoms and impacts of dementia.Methods: Participants were recruited from outpatient units at a major regional hospital and were aged at least 18 years, a patient or an accompanying support person, did not have a dementia diagnosis, had sufficient English knowledge and were well enough to complete a survey. Participants completed a web- based sur-vey on a touchscreen computer including items exploring knowledge of dementia risk factors, symptoms and perceived impacts if they or a loved one had dementia. Counts and proportions were calculated and perceived impacts of dementia were compared for self versus loved one using a χ2 test.Results: Of 353 eligible individuals approached, 208 consented and were in-cluded in the study. Between 30% and 61% (n= 62– 127) of participants believed modifiable factors such as high alcohol consumption and high blood pressure were associated with increased risk of dementia. While a majority of participants (87– 96%; n= 164– 181) identified memory- related symptoms, less than one- third recognised behavioural symptoms. Participants were more likely to identify emo-tional and practical impacts compared to physical or social impacts as most dif-ficult if they or a loved one had dementia.Conclusions: There remains a need for increased community education to ad-dress knowledge gaps regarding modifiable risk factors, behavioural symptoms and potential impacts of dementia on the individual diagnosed and their carers.