Knowledge and beliefs about help-seeking behavior and helpfulness of interventions for Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Objective: We investigated the lay public's attitudes toward help seeking and preferences for treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

Method: Cross-sectional population-based random sample of 500 household residents over 18 years old participated in face-to-face interviews in São Paulo, which included a case vignette depicting AD and a structured questionnaire.

Results: Public opinion rests firmly in the lay support system. Psychologists and self-help groups and close relatives were often rated as helpful. Many alternative treatments (such as vitamins, physical exercise, vacation) were often rated as helpful. Limited education, younger age and experience with psychiatric problems are associated with the ‘medical’ intervention model. Female sex and middle age are associated with ‘alternative’ interventions.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that attitudes and belief systems have an important impact on help-seeking and treatment recommendations.

Keywords:

• dementia
• Alzheimer's disease
• public beliefs
• community study
• help-seeking behavior
• treatment
• medical literacy

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by FAPESP (The State of São Paulo Research Foundation), grant no. 01/03423-0. We acknowledge the assistance of Gerda G. Fillenbaum, from the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University Medical Center, and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA for her comments and criticisms, and Professor Clóvis de Araujo Peres, from the Department of Preventive Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo/UNIFESP for his statistical help.