Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Dementia Among Healthcare Professionals in the MENA Region: A Multinational Survey

BackgroundDementia is an escalating public health challenge in the MENA region, where primary healthcare professionals' (HCPs) knowledge and preparedness remain underexplored. Understanding their knowledge and attitudes is vital for early diagnosis, quality care, and effective awareness strategies.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of 1224 HCPs across several Arab countries, primarily in primary care settings. Data were collected via an online survey using two validated instruments: the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS) and the Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS).ResultsMost participants demonstrated moderate knowledge (68.5%), while 19.9% demonstrated poor knowledge and 11.5% demonstrated good knowledge. Attitudes were largely neutral to positive (44.1%). Multivariate analysis revealed that higher age predicted better knowledge (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.06, <i>P</i> < .001), while positive attitudes were significantly associated with older age (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04, <i>P</i> = .002), female gender (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.14-1.84, <i>P</i> = .003), and higher knowledge scores (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.17-1.28, <i>P</i> < .001).Conclusionmoderate knowledge and generally positive attitudes, important gaps persist. Tailored education, particularly for younger and male HCPs, is needed to improve dementia literacy and care.

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Journal
Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology
Published
2025-12-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/08919887251414658
Primary Topic
Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
Type
article
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article

Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Dementia Among Healthcare Professionals in the MENA Region: A Multinational Survey

Hosny Maher Sultan, Rania M. Hassan, Ola Ezzat Eltohamy Mohamed, Enas Fouad Sayed Mousa et al.
Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology
Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
article

Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Dementia Among Healthcare Professionals in the MENA Region: A Multinational Survey

Hosny Maher Sultan, Rania M. Hassan, Ola Ezzat Eltohamy Mohamed, Enas Fouad Sayed Mousa, Nasiru Mohammed Abdullahi, Dalia Abdelfatah, Fatima Hallaj, Adam Khraisat, Nadia Mohamed Ibrahim Wahba, Marwa Ibrahim Mahfouz Khalil, Ahmed H. Dahshan, Ebtehal S Doma, Nada Hweissa, Ammar Gubari Abdulhamza, Mohammed Musaed Al-Jabri, Taliaa Mohsen Al-Yafeai, Asmaa Hammooz, Alaa Hamza Hermis, Basma Salameh, Walaa Mansour Ahmed, Wissam Mohammed Kareem, Eman Tarhuni, Diana Khedr, Walaa Mowafy Abd El-Halim El-Lawaty, Tarek M. Selim, Nawara Khirallah Abd El Fatah Abd El Ghany, Abdulrahman AlGhaithi, Ismael Ahmad khalil AL- Nawaja’a
article en

Abstract

BackgroundDementia is an escalating public health challenge in the MENA region, where primary healthcare professionals' (HCPs) knowledge and preparedness remain underexplored. Understanding their knowledge and attitudes is vital for early diagnosis, quality care, and effective awareness strategies.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of 1224 HCPs across several Arab countries, primarily in primary care settings. Data were collected via an online survey using two validated instruments: the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS) and the Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS).ResultsMost participants demonstrated moderate knowledge (68.5%), while 19.9% demonstrated poor knowledge and 11.5% demonstrated good knowledge. Attitudes were largely neutral to positive (44.1%). Multivariate analysis revealed that higher age predicted better knowledge (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.06, <i>P</i> < .001), while positive attitudes were significantly associated with older age (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04, <i>P</i> = .002), female gender (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.14-1.84, <i>P</i> = .003), and higher knowledge scores (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.17-1.28, <i>P</i> < .001).Conclusionmoderate knowledge and generally positive attitudes, important gaps persist. Tailored education, particularly for younger and male HCPs, is needed to improve dementia literacy and care.

Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology
Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University (SA), Cairo University (EG), Deakin University (AU), Zarqa University (JO), Qassim University (SA), Mansoura University (EG), Gulf Medical University (AE), Damanhour University (EG), Tanta University (EG), Al-Mustafa International University (IR), Government ENT Hospital (IN), Al Zawiya University (LY), University of Al-Qadisiyah (IQ), Directorate General of Health Services (BD), Arab American University (PS), Helwan University (EG), Alexandria University (EG), Port Said University (EG), Ras al-Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University (AE)
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Openalex Percentile: Top 31%
Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
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