Dementia Knowledge & Caregiver Burden in Rural Eastern Uganda and Its Association with the Mental Health of Older Adults

INTRODUCTION: Dementia is a significant challenge for low- and middle-income countries. Caring for an older adult can result in adverse effects known as caregiver burden. This study investigates the association between caregiver’s dementia knowledge and caregiver burden and the association between caregiver burden and the mental health of older adults aged 60 or over in rural eastern Uganda.

METHODS: Data used for this project was from a larger cross-sectional door-to-door study. Older adults and caregivers (n=598) from selected households were interviewed using structured questionnaires.

RESULTS: We found higher dementia knowledge was a risk factor for caregiver burden and caregiver depression. Caregiver burden was a risk factor for older adult anxiety while caregiver depression was a risk factor for older adult depression and anxiety.

DISCUSSION: Our findings highlight the need for dementia education interventions and improved mental health care to improve caregiver and older adult mental health outcomes in rural Uganda.