Raising awareness for dementia risk reduction through a public health campaign: a pre-post study

Objectives Evaluate the effect of a health promotion campaign aimed at increasing awareness about dementia risk reduction in middle-aged community-dwelling individuals in the Netherlands.Design A 10-month public health campaign using mass media and community participation, supported by eHealth. Popu...

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Main Authors: Irene Heger, Sebastian Köhler, Martin van Boxtel, Marjolein de Vugt, KlaasJan Hajema, Frans Verhey, Kay Deckers
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2020-11-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/11/e041211.full
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author Irene Heger
Sebastian Köhler
Martin van Boxtel
Marjolein de Vugt
KlaasJan Hajema
Frans Verhey
Kay Deckers
author_facet Irene Heger
Sebastian Köhler
Martin van Boxtel
Marjolein de Vugt
KlaasJan Hajema
Frans Verhey
Kay Deckers
author_sort Irene Heger
collection DOAJ
description Objectives Evaluate the effect of a health promotion campaign aimed at increasing awareness about dementia risk reduction in middle-aged community-dwelling individuals in the Netherlands.Design A 10-month public health campaign using mass media and community participation, supported by eHealth. Population-level difference in awareness before and after the campaign, including variation between demographic groups, was assessed in two independent cross-sectional samples from the same target population.Setting The public health campaign was launched in the Province of Limburg, the Netherlands, targeting all inhabitants aged 40–75 years old. Three specific districts within the Province were chosen for an additional community participation approach, in which local stakeholders were invited to support the campaign.Results No pre- (n=590) post- (n=602) difference was observed in people agreeing to the statement that dementia risk reduction is possible (X2(1)=1.27, p=0.260). For the individual lifestyle factors, physical activity (7.6% increase (X2(1)=7.48, p=0.006)) and healthy diet (10.5% increase (X2(1)=12.37, p≤0.001)) were identified more often as being protective against dementia after the campaign. Of all risk/protective factors assessed, cognitive activity was identified most often at both preassessment (79.4%) and postassessment (80.4%), but there was no increase in awareness (X2(1)=0.17, p=0.677). Self-reported exposure to the campaign was associated with greater awareness and motivation for behavioural change (X2(1)=6.52, p=0.011). Compared with mass media only, the addition of community participation resulted in better recognition of campaign material and the eHealth platform.Conclusions This study was not able to reach a population-level increase of awareness of dementia risk reduction. Two out of the three lifestyle factors that formed the foundation of the campaign were identified more often after the campaign. Those reported having been exposed to the campaign were more aware and more inclined towards behavioural change.
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spelling doaj-art-c6f48dc9a48d4e239f5980b992af20e02025-08-20T02:04:48ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552020-11-01101110.1136/bmjopen-2020-041211Raising awareness for dementia risk reduction through a public health campaign: a pre-post studyIrene Heger0Sebastian Köhler1Martin van Boxtel2Marjolein de Vugt3KlaasJan Hajema4Frans Verhey5Kay Deckers6Alzheimer Centrum Limburg, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands4Maastricht University, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht, NetherlandsAlzheimer Centrum Limburg, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The NetherlandsDepartment of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The NetherlandsGGD Zuid Limburg, Heerlen, The NetherlandsAlzheimer Centrum Limburg, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The NetherlandsAlzheimer Centre Limburg, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, NetherlandsObjectives Evaluate the effect of a health promotion campaign aimed at increasing awareness about dementia risk reduction in middle-aged community-dwelling individuals in the Netherlands.Design A 10-month public health campaign using mass media and community participation, supported by eHealth. Population-level difference in awareness before and after the campaign, including variation between demographic groups, was assessed in two independent cross-sectional samples from the same target population.Setting The public health campaign was launched in the Province of Limburg, the Netherlands, targeting all inhabitants aged 40–75 years old. Three specific districts within the Province were chosen for an additional community participation approach, in which local stakeholders were invited to support the campaign.Results No pre- (n=590) post- (n=602) difference was observed in people agreeing to the statement that dementia risk reduction is possible (X2(1)=1.27, p=0.260). For the individual lifestyle factors, physical activity (7.6% increase (X2(1)=7.48, p=0.006)) and healthy diet (10.5% increase (X2(1)=12.37, p≤0.001)) were identified more often as being protective against dementia after the campaign. Of all risk/protective factors assessed, cognitive activity was identified most often at both preassessment (79.4%) and postassessment (80.4%), but there was no increase in awareness (X2(1)=0.17, p=0.677). Self-reported exposure to the campaign was associated with greater awareness and motivation for behavioural change (X2(1)=6.52, p=0.011). Compared with mass media only, the addition of community participation resulted in better recognition of campaign material and the eHealth platform.Conclusions This study was not able to reach a population-level increase of awareness of dementia risk reduction. Two out of the three lifestyle factors that formed the foundation of the campaign were identified more often after the campaign. Those reported having been exposed to the campaign were more aware and more inclined towards behavioural change.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/11/e041211.full
spellingShingle Irene Heger
Sebastian Köhler
Martin van Boxtel
Marjolein de Vugt
KlaasJan Hajema
Frans Verhey
Kay Deckers
Raising awareness for dementia risk reduction through a public health campaign: a pre-post study
BMJ Open
title Raising awareness for dementia risk reduction through a public health campaign: a pre-post study
title_full Raising awareness for dementia risk reduction through a public health campaign: a pre-post study
title_fullStr Raising awareness for dementia risk reduction through a public health campaign: a pre-post study
title_full_unstemmed Raising awareness for dementia risk reduction through a public health campaign: a pre-post study
title_short Raising awareness for dementia risk reduction through a public health campaign: a pre-post study
title_sort raising awareness for dementia risk reduction through a public health campaign a pre post study
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/11/e041211.full
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