A study on beliefs and perceptions of major neurocognitive disorder (dementia) in a township in Pietermaritzburg – KwaZulu-Natal.
Date
2021
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Abstract
Dementia has been a public concern over the last few years. This concern is motivated by the population ageing in different countries. Because of this shift in the expected life span, there has been a rise in public health research focusing on dementia. Research has shown that there are different ways of understanding dementia in different communities and these impact treatment-seeking behaviors. This exploratory qualitative study investigated the perceptions of and beliefs about dementia held by study participants from Imbali Township (Pietermaritzburg). Secondly, it explored how their beliefs about dementia influence their treatment-seeking behaviors. Eight participants 18 years and over were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. Participants were interviewed in their households using a semi-structured interview schedule and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that most of the participants perceive dementia as an illness while some did not regard dementia symptoms as constituting an illness. In addition the participants had different understandings of the terminology and causes of dementia. While some participants labelled the illness as dementia, others believed it is an old age sickness and illness occuring because of “people’s doing”. This diversity in understanding was also evident in treatment-seeking options and assumed recovery predictions. It was discovered that as much as people reside in a single township, they hold differing views about dementia. This shows the complexity of understanding a community, as people’s beliefs are influenced by their social and cultural context and prior experiences. It also shows that there can never be a “one size fits all” intervention if we cater to every person in our communities' spectrum.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.