The Prevalence and Predicting Factors of Dementia among the Elderly in Satun Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional exploratory study aimed to examine the prevalence of dementia and identifying predictive factors for dementia among the elderly in Satun Province. The sample consisted of 254 elderly individuals residing in Mueang District, Satun Province. Data were collected using questionnaires assessing demographic and social factors, participation in social activities, health behaviors, and risks. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients were 0.92 and 0.69, respectively, along with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-Thai 2002). Data collection took place from August to September 2024. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and multiple regression with enter method. The findings revealed that the prevalence of dementia among the elderly in Satun Province was 21.26%. Logistic regression analysis identified two factors that were significantly associated with dementia: income (Crude OR = 1.622, p = .015, 95% CI = 1.098-2.397) and overall social interaction scores (Crude OR =1.078, p = .025, 95% CI = 1.009-1.151). The Cox & Snell R Square was .114, and the Nagelkerke R Square was .176, indicating that the predictor variables in this model explained approximately 17.6% of the variance in dementia. This suggests that for every one unit increase in income and social interaction scores, the risk of developing dementia decreased by factors of 1.622 and 1.078, respectively. Based on the findings, it is recommended that efforts to prevent dementia among the elderly should focus on planning and implementing activities that promote social interaction and increase income through meaningful use of leisure time. This approach aims to prevent social isolation among the elderly and foster a sense of self-worth and social acceptance.