Assessment of dementia knowledge and motivation to change lifestyle for dementia risk reduction in northeastern Turkey

This study aimed to assess dementia-related knowledge and the motivation to adopt lifestyle changes for dementia risk reduction among individuals living in northeastern Turkey. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 509 participants who visited a family health center located in northeastern Turkey. The participants’ mean dementia knowledge score was 16.11 ± 8.51, while their mean motivation score for changing lifestyle behaviors to reduce dementia risk was 30.54 ± 3.31. A statistically significant and positive correlation was found between dementia knowledge and motivation scores (r = 0.206; p < .001). Dementia knowledge scores significantly differed based on age, educational level, employment status, occupation, income level, presence of chronic illness, familiarity with individuals diagnosed with dementia, belief in the preventability and treatability of dementia, engagement in regular physical and social activities, cognitive activity, and sleep quality (p < .05). Motivation scores varied significantly by age, familiarity with individuals with dementia, belief in the preventability and treatability of dementia, cognitive activity, and sleep quality (p < .05). The findings indicate that participants possessed slightly below-average dementia-related knowledge and demonstrated a moderate level of motivation to change lifestyle behaviors to reduce dementia risk. As dementia knowledge increased, so did the motivation to modify lifestyle behaviors aimed at reducing this risk. These results underscore the importance of expanding educational programs to enhance dementia awareness in the general population and structuring such programs to foster motivation for positive lifestyle changes.