Skip to main content

Table 2 Perceptions of different ethnic groups toward ageing and dementia

From: Ageing, dementia and society – an epistemological perspective

  

Ethnic groups

   
 

Chinese

Malaysian

Indian

Caucasian a

Pakistani b

 

n =617

n =143

n =209

n =5

n =6

 

%

%

%

%

%

Have heard of dementia

Completely unaware of it

5.5

11.2

12.0

20.0

16.7

May have heard of it

5.2

5.6

6.7

0.0

33.3

Not sure

18.5

11.9

9.6

0.0

0.0

Somewhat aware of it

51.5

36.4

43.5

80.0

16.7

Completely aware of it

19.3

35.0

28.2

0.0

33.3

Ageing is a major risk factor for dementia

Strongly disagree

4.1

7.7

4.8

40.0

0.0

Disagree

11.5

15.4

12.4

40.0

33.3

Not Sure

37.1

21.7

26.8

0.0

33.3

Agree

35.3

38.5

34.9

20.0

0.0

Strongly agree

12.0

16.8

21.1

0.0

33.3

People with dementia should be placed in homes

Strongly disagree

22.9

25.9

25.8

40.0

50.0

Disagree

47.0

41.3

42.1

20.0

33.3

Not Sure

18.3

18.2

15.8

40.0

16.7

Agree

6.5

9.1

11.0

0.0

0.0

Strongly agree

5.3

5.6

5.3

0.0

0.0

People with severe dementia should be cared for by professionals instead of family members

Strongly disagree

8.3

14.0

11.0

0.0

16.7

Disagree

35.2

32.9

23.9

40.0

16.7

Not sure

27.1

16.8

18.2

40.0

49.9

Agree

21.7

26.6

32.1

20.0

16.7

Strongly agree

7.8

9.8

14.8

0.0

0.0

Healthy lifestyle reduces the occurrence of dementia

Strongly disagree

2.6

5.6

1.4

20.0

0.0

Disagree

20.1

12.6

9.6

40.0

16.7

Not Sure

34.5

21.0

22.0

20.0

0.0

Agree

30.0

39.2

39.2

20.0

50.0

Strongly agree

12.8

21.7

27.8

0.0

33.3

  1. a,bResults for these groups should be interpreted with caution, as the sample size is small.