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What does the general public understand about prevention and treatment of dementia? A systematic review of population-based surveys
Cations M, Radisic G, Crotty M, Laver KE.. PloS one, 2018-04-19
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Objectives To synthesise results of population surveys assessing knowledge and attitudes about prevention and treatment of dementia. Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and grey literature were searched for English language entries published between 2012 and May 2017. Survey questions were grouped using an inductive approach and responses were pooled. Results Thirty-four eligible studies and four grey literature items were identified. Surveys were conducted in Europe, the US, Eastern Asia, Israel, and Australia. Nearly half of respondents agreed that dementia is a normal and non-preventable part of ageing, but belief in the potential for prevention may be improving over time. The role of cardiovascular risk factors was poorly understood overall. Less than half of respondents reported belief in the availability of a cure for dementia. The value of seeking treatment was highly endorsed. Conclusions Results suggest that knowledge about the potential for dementia prevention and treatment remains poor but may be improving over time. Knowledge among those living in low- and middle-income countries are largely unknown, presenting challenges for the development of National action plans consistent with World Health Organization directives.
Key findings
- Objectives To synthesise results of population surveys assessing knowledge and attitudes about prevention and treatment of dementia.
- Results Thirty-four eligible studies and four grey literature items were identified.
- The role of cardiovascular risk factors was poorly understood overall.
- Conclusions Results suggest that knowledge about the potential for dementia prevention and treatment remains poor but may be improving over time.
Why it matters
This review of population surveys found that public knowledge about dementia prevention and treatment remains poor, with the role of cardiovascular risk factors poorly understood. It is about public understanding, not about treating, curing, or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 60/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a meta-analysis pooling many studies. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported and studied in people because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (PloS one) |
| Journal's citation record | 4 / 4 | PLoS ONE: journal h-index 594 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A meta-analysis pooling many studies (from PubMed type “Meta-Analysis”) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 2 / 5 | 2018 — within 10 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | A review of other studies — randomisation is not credited here |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 230 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 23.0 citations a year over 10 year(s) since 2018 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 3.8× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 2 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 82 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Kate Laver: h-index 39 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | The University of Sydney: institution h-index 1,466 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 29672559) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 60 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Cations, M., Radisic, G., Crotty, M., & Laver, K. E. (2018). What does the general public understand about prevention and treatment of dementia? A systematic review of population-based surveys. PloS one. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0196085
Vancouver
Cations M, Radisic G, Crotty M, Laver KE. What does the general public understand about prevention and treatment of dementia? A systematic review of population-based surveys. PloS one. 2018. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0196085. PMID: 29672559.
BibTeX
@article{cations2018-29672559,
author = {Cations, M. and Radisic, G. and Crotty, M. and Laver, K. E.},
title = {{What does the general public understand about prevention and treatment of dementia? A systematic review of population-based surveys}},
journal = {PloS one},
year = {2018},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0196085},
pmid = {29672559},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0196085}
}
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Later studies that cite this one
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