Woo Benjamin Kp, Mehta Pratik
Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, University of California, USA.
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2017 May;17(5):760-764. doi: 10.1111/ggi.12782. Epub 2016 May 2.
One of the major barriers in making a diagnosis and managing dementia in the Chinese American population is the stigma surrounding the disease. The goal of the present study was to examine differences in the stigma and perceptions of dementia and diabetes among Chinese Americans.
A total of 449 Chinese Americans answered one survey with two self-administered, true/false questionnaires assessing stigma and perceptions toward dementia and diabetes. Higher total scores were associated with increased stigma and negative perceptions. The results of the two questionnaires were compared to assess for any differences in attitudes.
For the dementia questionnaire, the mean score was 5.58 (95% CI 5.37-5.79) with a standard deviation of 2.31. For the diabetes questionnaire, the mean score was 2.01 (95% CI 1.85-2.18) with a standard deviation of 1.76. Statistical analysis showed that Chinese Americans were more likely to hold stigmatized views toward dementia than diabetes (t = 33.9, d.f. = 448, P < 0.01).
The higher average score in the dementia questionnaire shows that there are greater stigma and negative perceptions of dementia in comparison with diabetes among Chinese Americans. Considering that stigma delays access to healthcare for dementia-related symptoms, efforts should be taken to minimize negative attitudes associated with dementia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 760-764.
在美国华裔人群中，痴呆症诊断和管理的主要障碍之一是围绕该疾病的污名化。本研究的目的是调查美国华裔对痴呆症和糖尿病的污名化及认知差异。
共有449名美国华裔回答了一项包含两份自填式是非问卷的调查，问卷评估了对痴呆症和糖尿病的污名化及认知。总分越高，表明污名化和负面认知程度越高。比较两份问卷的结果以评估态度上的任何差异。
痴呆症问卷的平均分为5.58（95%置信区间5.37 - 5.79），标准差为2.31。糖尿病问卷的平均分为2.01（95%置信区间1.85 - 2.18），标准差为1.76。统计分析表明，美国华裔对痴呆症的污名化看法比糖尿病更普遍（t = 33.9，自由度 = 448，P < 0.01）。
痴呆症问卷的较高平均分表明，与糖尿病相比，美国华裔对痴呆症存在更大的污名化和负面认知。鉴于污名化会延迟对痴呆相关症状的医疗保健获取，应努力尽量减少与痴呆症相关的负面态度。《老年医学与老年病学国际杂志》2017年；17：760 - 764。
