The power of knowledge about dementia in Latin America across health professionals working on aging

Abstract

Methods: We investigated opinions among health professionals working on aging in LACs (N =3365) with regression models including expertise-related information (public policies, BI), individual differences (work, age, academic degree), and location. Results: Experts specified low public policy knowledge (X2 = 41.27, P < .001), high levels of stigma (X2 = 2636.37, P < .001), almost absent BI knowledge (X2 = 56.58, P < .001), and needs for regional diagnostic manuals (X2 = 2893.63, df = 3, P < .001) and data-sharing platforms (X2 = 1267.5, df = 3, P < .001). Lack of dementia knowledge was modulated by different factors. An implemented BI-based treatment for a proposed prevention program improved perception across experts. Discussion: Our findings help to prioritize future potential actions of governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to improve LACs’ dementia knowledge.