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THE KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS PEOPLE
WITH DEMENTIA AMONG YOUTH IN KUANTAN
Anis Hafizah Mat1, Amirah Fatin Ibrahim1
1Kuliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia
*Corresponding author: Amirah Fatin Ibrahim email: ami.fatin@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Background: The number of people surviving until old age has been increasing worldwide.
Nevertheless, growing numbers of older adults also increases the susceptibility to disease that
commonly afflict the elderly, such as dementia. This study aim to determine knowledge and
attitude towards people with dementia among youth in Kuantan and to determine the
differences of knowledge, attitude and beliefs towards people with dementia among youth
with and without medical background in Kuantan.
Materials and Methods: This study was take place at Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur. A
convenient sampling method was used to select the sample (N=384). A set of questionnaires
was used as the instrument in this research. There were three part of the questionnaire which
are: Part A: Socio-Demographic Data. The first part of questionnaire is to investigate the
demographic data of the participant including age, gender and occupation. Part B: Alzheimer ’s
Disease Knowledge Scale. Part B include the questions regarding the knowledge of Alzheimer’s
disease (Dementia). Part C: Attitude Questions. For the part C, it consists of question regarding
on attitude of respondents about the issues.
Result: A total of 384 respondents had enrolled in this study as required from estimated total
size sample calculation which is 384. For gender, 18.0% respondents were male and 81.8%
were female. Based on this study, independent t-test reveals mean mark for 384 respondents
was 16.97. For the differences between healthcare related and non-healthcare background
with level of knowledge, the result is not significant.
Conclusion: There are no significant differences between healthcare related and non-
healthcare related background of youth with level of knowledge.
Keywords: Dementia, Healthcare, Non-healthcare
1.0 Introduction
Anis Hafizah Mat, Amirah Fatin Ibrahim 1
Malaysia is one of developing countries located in Southeast Asia. It consists of thirteen states
and three Federal Territories. The population at Malaysia stands at over 28 million people
with proportions 50.4% Malay, 23.7 % Chinese, 11% indigenous, 7.1% Indians and 7.8%
others. The population growth rate for the country in 2009 is about 1.7% per annum with life
expectancies at birth for males and females at 70.5 years and 76.2 years respectively (Nikmat,
Hawthorne, & Al-Mashoor, 2016). The actual age used in the definition of 'senior citizens' or
'elderly' has differed among researchers and writers. However, the United Nations World
Assembly on Ageing held in Vienna, 1982, used '60 years and over' as the cut-off in
deliberating ageing trends (Mat R, 2003). Karim (1997) reported that the proportion of the
total population who were elderly had increased from 4.6% in 1957 to 5.7% in 1990. It is also
predicted that the proportion will continue to increase from 6.3% in 2000 to 12% by the year
of 2030 (Mat R, 2003). The number of people surviving until old age has been increasing
worldwide. Reduction in both fertility and mortality rates, better living standards, nutrition
and health care are claimed to be the key factors that increase the proportion of aged people
within the population. Nevertheless, growing numbers of older adults also increases the
susceptibility to disease that commonly afflict the elderly, such as dementia (Nikmat et al.,
2016).
Whilst the number of people becomes older is increasing, it is becomes a concern to the health
care practitioners and government regarding this rising issues and situation. For instance, the
most common disabling illness associated with old age is dementia (Nikmat et al., 2016).
Population ageing and other risk factors are driving an increasing incidence of dementia.
According to the Alzheimer Disease International report, the prevalence of dementia in
Malaysia in 2005 was 0.063% and the annual incidence rate is 0.020%. It is also predicted
that this figure will increase to 0.126% and 0.454% in 2020 and 2050 respectively
(Economics, 2006). Malaysia on the other hand, like any other countries in Asia Pacific
region may not be well prepared in providing quality health and care services for people with
dementia and their caregivers because among the challenges in dealing with dementia include
limited awareness of the disease itself, existence of stigma and credibility of health care
providers (Economics, 2006).
2.0 Materials and Methods
This study is suggested to use a quantitative method of cross-sectional study by using
questionnaires to survey on the knowledge and attitudes towards people with dementia at
Kuantan. This study was take place at Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia in International Islamic
University Malaysia Kuantan Campus and surrounding areas. In this study, the population
was from youth in Kuantan aged from 15 to 40 years old. The sampling method that that was
used is convenience sampling method. A set of questionnaires was used as the instrument in
this research. There were three part of the questionnaire which are: Part A: Socio-
Demographic Data.The first part of questionnaire is to investigate the demographic data of the
participant including age, gender and occupation. Part B: Alzheimer ’s Disease Knowledge
Scale. Part B include the questions regarding the knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease
(Dementia). Part C: Attitude Questions. For the part C, it consists of question regarding on
attitude of respondents about the issues.
3.0 Result
Anis Hafizah Mat, Amirah Fatin Ibrahim 2
3.1 Introduction
Data was collected from March until April 2017 after required series of ethical approval from
related authorities. Results of descriptive analysis were presented in tables by showing the
mean and standard deviation of the data. The result for association between variable were
interpreted based on the significant was set at α = 0.05 and were presented in tables.
3.2 Socio-demographic data characteristics of respondents
Table 4.1: Socio-demographic Data of Respondents (n=384)
Variable Frequency (n) Percentage (%)
Gender
Male
Female
69
314
18.0
81.8
Occupation
Healthcare related staff 1 0.3
Non healthcare related staff 2 0.5
Healthcare related students 277 72.1
Non-healthcare related students 104 27.1
The study was conducted at Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. A total of 384 respondents had
enrolled in this study as required from estimated total size sample calculation which is 384.
The age of respondents are ranging from 15 to 40 years old. The questionnaires were
distribute to 69 (18.0%) male respondents and 314 (81.8%) female respondents. All
respondents were striated based on having healthcare related occupation and non-healthcare
related occupation either as a staff (worker) or students. There are 1 (0.3%) of healthcare
related staff and 2 (0.5%) of non-healthcare related staff among the respondents. There are
also 277 (72.1%) of healthcare related students and 104 (27.1%) of non-healthcare related
students among the respondents.
3.3 Level of Knowledge
Table 4.2: Level of Knowledge of Respondent
Anis Hafizah Mat, Amirah Fatin Ibrahim 3
Total
Participants
Mean
Score
Standard
Deviation
Level of
knowledge
384 16.97 3.104
Level of knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease (Dementia) among youth in Kuantan was
measured by using Alzheimer’s disease Knowledge Scale with the total of 30 questions. As
presented in Table 4.2, the mean mark for the 384 participants is 16.97 with a standard
deviation of 3.014. Based on table 4.3, since the mean, median and mode values are very
close to each other, perhaps the data is symmetrical. The skewness value is 0.110 which is
within ±1. Hence the data can be assumed to be symmetrical. The kurtosis value is 0.557
which is within ±1. Therefore the data distribution can be assumed to be mesokurtik.
Table 4.3
Descriptive
Statistic Std. Error
total Mean 16.97 .154
knowledge 95% Confidence Interval for Lower
Bound
16.97
Mean Upper Bound 17.27
5% Trimmed Mean 16.96
Median 17.00
Variance 9.083
Std. Deviation 3.104
Minimum 7
Maximum 29
Range 22
Interquartile Range 4
Skewness .110 .125
Kurtosis .577 .249
Based on table 4.4, since the sample size 384, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test will be used. The
p-value of the test is not more than 0.05. Hence the data can be assumed to be not normally
distributed.
Table 4.4
Tests of Normality
Kolmogorov-Smirnov₃Shapiro-Wilk
Anis Hafizah Mat, Amirah Fatin Ibrahim 4
Statistic df Sig. Statistic df Sig.
totalknowledge .078 383 .000 .988 383 .003
a. Lilliefors Significance Correction
3.4 Differences of Knowledge between Healthcare related Respondents with Non-
healthcare related Respondents
Table 4.5: Test of Homogeneity of Variances
totalknowledge
Levene
Statistic
df1 df2 Sig.
1.349 2 379 .261
Based on the data analysis using independent t-test, the result shown that there was no
significant association between levels of knowledge with healthcare related on non-healthcare
related background, significant value is 0.261. The details result is showed below in Table
4.5. The p-value is 0.261. Since the p-value is more than 0.05, equality of variances is
assumed.
Table 4.6: Differences of knowledge between healthcare related with non-healthcare
related respondents
totalknowledge
Sum of
Squares
df Mean Square F Sig.
Between Groups 67.697 3 22.566 2.514 .058
Within Groups 3401.927 379 8.976
Total 3469.624 382
Findings :
1. The p-value for the Levene’s test for equality of variances is 0.261, which is more than
0.05. Thus, equality of variances assumed.
2. The F-value is 2.514 and the degrees of freedoms are 3 and 379
3. The p-value of the test is 0.058, which is more than than 0.05
So as conclusion, the p-value of the test is more than 0.05. Hence, it is not significant.
3.5 Attitudes of respondents towards people with dementia
Table 4.7: Attitudes of respondents towards people with dementia
Anis Hafizah Mat, Amirah Fatin Ibrahim 5
QUESTIONS YES (n, %) NO (n, %) DON’T KNOW (n, %)
C1- Would you share your house
with family member who had
dementia?
(Adakah anda akan berkongsi
rumah dengan ahli keluarga yang
menghidap dementia?)
283 (73.3%) 66 (17.2%) 35 (9.1%)
C2- Do you believe that people
with dementia are responsible for
their problem?
(Adakah anda percaya mereka
yang mempunyai dementia
bertanggungjawab dengan
masalah mereka?)
72 (18.8%) 235 (61.2%) 77 (20.1%)
C3- Do you see people with
dementia as violent and
dangerous people to be avoided?
(Adakah anda melihat mereka
yang menghidap dementia
sebagai ganas dan berbahaya dan
perlu dielak?
57 (14.8%) 273 (71.1%) 54 (14.1%)
C4-Would you feel ashamed if
people knew someone in your
family has dementia?
(Adakah anda akan berasa malu
sekiranya orang sekeliling tahu
seseorang di dalam keluarga
anda menghidap dementia?)
35 (9.1%) 325 (84.6%) 24 (6.3%)
C5-Would you be afraid to have a
conversation with someone who
has dementia?
(Adakah anda akan berasa takut
untuk berbual dengan seseorang
yang menghidap dementia?)
62 (16.1%) 286 (74.5%) 36 (9.4%)
C6-Would you be scared having
someone with dementia as a
neighbor?
(Adakah anda akan berasa takut
mempunyai seseorang yang
menghidap dementia sebagai
jiran?)
82 (21.4%) 263 (68.5%) 39 (10.2%)
Anis Hafizah Mat, Amirah Fatin Ibrahim 6
C7-Do you think people with
dementia can live in the
community?
(Adakah anda rasa mereka yang
menghidap dementia boleh hidup
dalam masyarakat?)
279 (72.7%) 68 (17.7%) 37 (9.6%)
C8-Do you think people with
dementia should live in a nursing
home?
(Adakah anda rasa mereka yang
menghidap dementia patut tinggal
di rumah orang tua?)
115 (29.9%) 200 (52.1%) 69 (18.0%)
As shown in table 4.7, there are 73.3% of respondents that saying “YES” to question whether
they would like to share their house with family member who had dementia and 17.2%
answered “NO”.
4.0 Discussion
This study has comprised a population of youth with the ages ranging from 15 to 40 years old
from the area of Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. All respondents were categorized according to
their occupation either it is healthcare related or non-healthcare related. The total respondents
in this study were 384 respondents. In this study, the Alzheimer’s disease Knowledge Scale
plays a major role in determining the level of knowledge of dementia among youth in
Kuantan. With the mean score 16.97 (maximum score 30), this result shows that slightly more
than half of the respondents have good level of knowledge about dementia. This is possible
because until this day, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are among most
rapidly increasing disease globally (Smith, Ali, & Quach, 2014). This condition would
generally leads to increasing of awareness around the globe and such similar approaches
would be taken in handling and managing this uprising and threatening condition. Based on
the data analysis using independent t-test, the result shown that there was no significant
different between levels of knowledge with healthcare related on non-healthcare related
background, with significant value is 0.058. Table 4.6 shows that since the significant value is
0.058, which is more than 0.05, it means that they are not significant. Adequate knowledge of
dementia among healthcare professionals has been shown to affect critical issues in care, such
as the timing of diagnosis and the implementation of interventions (Smyth et al., 2010). In this
study, there is no significance differences in level of knowledge that has been shown. There
are generally usual perceptions among people about people with dementia. They usually being
isolated from the society as they tend to be thought of a burden or a disgrace to some of their
family. People with dementia are usually stigmatized and discriminated in many ways
(Khonje et al., 2015). The same study also mentioned that the lay concepts about dementia are
respectively generated by cultural and religious differences (Khonje et al., 2015). It is also
said that dementia was a normal occurrence that eventually would strike any old people,
which specifically mentioned as a ‘normal phenomenon’ (Sahin et al., 2006).
Anis Hafizah Mat, Amirah Fatin Ibrahim 7
5.0 Conclusion and recommendation
One of the common disease that affects elders are dementia. Unfortunately, there are few
people that believe dementia is a disease. Following that, there has been several issues and
challenges faced worldwide regarding dementia, especially among healthcare providers and
care givers. Therefore, this thesis was produce to address this issue by assessing the level of
knowledge among youth the most important population that would make a difference more
than anyone in handling the situation. This thesis aims to answer for how much knowledge of
the population have about people with dementia. This study also aims to determine the
differences, if there are any, in knowledge levels between healthcare related and non-
healthcare related respondents. This study was a cross-sectional study done to assess the level
of knowledge and attitudes among respondents towards people with dementia. This study
found a good level of knowledge and attitudes towards people with dementia. On the other
hand, there is no significant different in level of knowledge between healthcare related
respondents and non-healthcare related respondents. For the recommendation, the sample size
should be increase to get better result so that better outcome can be achieved. The respondents
also should not be approached in few specific places as more overall approach would benefits
every part of the population.
Acknowledgement
Kuliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and Ethics
Committee, IIUM Kuantan Campus, Kuliyyah of Nursing Research Committee (KNRC),
IIUM Research Ethics Committee (IREC).
Declaration
Author(s) declare that they have no competing interest.
Authors contribution
Author 1: Anis Hafizah Mat Author 2: Amirah Fatin Ibrahim
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