Validity and Reliability of a Questionnaire Measuring Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Dementia Among General Population and Healthcare Workers in Urban India

Objective: The present study aimed to validate a questionnaire and measure the previous knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of the general population and healthcare professionals regarding the debilitating disorder of dementia. Design: A questionnaire including 27 items was compiled by the authors and was circulated via the online platform. Setting:A questionnaire-based survey was conducted using the online modality. Participants: A convenience sampling method was used to recruit participants aged 18 and above from all walks of life. Measurements: Test-retest reliability, item analysis, and Cronbach’s alpha were calculated for the compiled questionnaire. The responses of the participants were assessed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. Results: A total of 503 responses were collected. The internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.70) was acceptable and the test-retest reliability (0.823) was good. Eighty-one percent (408/503) of participants had heard the word dementia. Seven percent (27/408) of the participants who had heard the word dementia did not have any knowledge about the symptoms of dementia. Thirty-three percent (136/408) of participants believed that dementia could not be prevented. Almost half, i.e., 46% (187/408) of participants, considered dementia as a normal part of aging. Conclusions: The present study provides a fully validated questionnaire, which could prove helpful in research as it permits generating high-quality data and reducing measurement error. Knowledge of dementia among the general participants seems to be moderate and prompts towards the development of advocacy programs.