Factors Related to the Dementia Prevention Behavior among Community-dwelling Older Adults based on the Health Belief Model: A Cross-sectional Descriptive Study

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the relationships between perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, and dementia prevention behavior among community-dwelling older adults.Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional, correlational design using a structured questionnaire. This study participants were 218 older adults aged at least 65 years who visited a senior citizen center and lived in S City C Province. The survey was conducted in August 2022. Perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy were measured using a tool developed by Song & Park (2018). Dementia prevention behavior was measured using a tool developed by Lim, Kim, and Kim (2018).Results: The scores for perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy were 5.52±0.69, 3.04±0.85, and 4.98±0.97 points, respectively (possible range: 1~7). The score for dementia prevention behavior was 3.91±0.51 (possible range: 1~5). Dementia health behavior was significantly correlated with perceived benefits (r=.32, p<.001), perceived barriers (r=-.40, p<.001), and self-efficacy (r=.64, p<.001). Self-efficacy (β=.43, p<.001), perceived barriers (β=-.23, p<.001), and experience of using a dementia center (β=.20, p<.001) explained 48.6% of the variance in dementia prevention behavior (F=19.63, p<.001).Conclusion: Prior to developing a nursing intervention program to improve dementia health behavior in community-dwelling older adults, it is necessary to clarify perceived barriers and consider self-efficacy.