Factors affecting the participation of the dementia screening in community-dwelling elderly

Purpose: This study investigated factors affecting participation in dementia screening, based on the health belief model. Methods: Data from 191 participants that fully answered the distributed questionnaires were analyzed. Data on the following variables were collected: general characteristics with modifying variables, health beliefs, and cue to action for dementia screening. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, χ² test, Fisher's exact test, independent t-test, and logistic regression using SPSS/WIN software version 23.0. Results: Factors affecting participation in dementia screening were as follows: For age, those in their 70s were more likely to participate in screening tests for dementia than those in their 60s (Odds Ratio [OR]=0.36, p=.003). For level of education, people with less than elementary school education were more likely to participate in screening tests for dementia than those with more than university education (OR=6.13, p=.020). Presence of spouse (OR=3.65, p=.027), presence of family or friends who underwent dementia screening tests (OR=5.63, p=.002), being exposed to dementia screening advertising (OR=3.94, p=.009), and having showed a lower average score of perceived barrier for dementia screening (OR=0.13, p=.002) were factors that increased the likelihood of participation in dementia screening. Conclusion: To increase participation in dementia screening, strategies should be developed taking into account the influencing factors found by this study. In particular, an advertising strategy that emphasizes the importance of participating in dementia screening will be needed.