Arabic translation and validation of the dementia knowledge assessment scale (DKAS-A) and public knowledge assessment in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract Dementia is a neurocognitive disorder affecting millions, with prevalence projected to triple by 2050. Assessing dementia knowledge is crucial for its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. This study developed the Arabic version of the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS-A) to facilitate this evaluation. We conducted a cross-sectional study among adults in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) between December 2023 and January 2024. We collected participants’ data using a sociodemographic form and the DKAS, which was translated into Arabic using the Translation, Review, Adjudication, Pretest, and Documentation (TRAPD) method. We verified the translation’s validity, internal consistency, and reliability. The DKAS-A demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.7), very strong equivalence to the original English tool (Pearson’s correlation coefficients > 0.8), and moderate test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.67). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) supported a revised 21-item version for the DKAS-A. Of 912 participants, 405 completed the Arabic version of the questionnaire. Only 22.8% demonstrated moderate knowledge of dementia. Higher knowledge levels were significantly associated with female gender, involvement in the medical field, higher education, and experience with People with Dementia (PwD). The DKAS-A was successfully developed and validated. The inadequate dementia knowledge in the UAE necessitates the development of a national dementia plan to raise awareness and decrease the disease’s burden.