Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2020 | Alzheimer's Disease | Research article
Prevalence and correlates of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in rural Uganda: cross-sectional, population-based study
Authors:
Vincent Mubangizi, Samuel Maling, Celestino Obua, Alexander C. Tsai
Published in:
BMC Geriatrics
|
Issue 1/2020
Login to get access
Abstract
Background
There is a paucity of data on the prevalence and correlates of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in rural Uganda.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional, population-based study in a rural region of southwestern Uganda. The Brief Community Screening Instrument for Dementia was administered to a multi-stage area probability sample of 400 people aged 60 years and over. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate correlates of probable dementia.
Results
Overall, 80 (20%) of the sample screened positive for dementia. On multivariable regression, we estimated the following correlates of probable dementia: age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.02 per year; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10–1.03, p<0.001), having some formal education (AOR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.41–0.81, p = 0.001), exercise (AOR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.27–0.72, p = 0.001), and having a ventilated kitchen (AOR, 0.43; (95% CI, 0.24–0.77, p = 0.001).
Conclusions
In this population-based sample of older-age adults in rural Uganda, nearly one-fifth screened positive for dementia.