Determining Middle-Aged and Older Adults' Health Beliefs to Change Lifestyle and Health Behavior for Dementia Risk Reduction.

BACKGROUND: Global population is getting older and the prevalence of dementia continuously increases. Understanding the related health beliefs is bound to enable lifestyle-based interventions that maximize public engagement in dementia risk reduction behaviors. The aim of this study was to determine health beliefs on dementia prevention behaviors and lifestyle changes and to determine the factors influencing these beliefs among middle-aged and older people in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 284 individuals aged 40 years and older, using nonprobability convenience sampling. Data were collected using a demographic characteristic form and the Turkish version of the Motivation for Changing Lifestyle and Health Behavior for Reducing the Risk of Dementia scale. The study utilized the value, mean, percentage frequency distribution, correlation, independent t test, and the one-way analysis of variance test. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants included in the study was 56.99 ± 12.05, 68.7% of individuals were males. The mean education years of the participants were 11.22 ± 4.55. The majority (72.2%) of participants expressed subjective memory complaints. Presence of family history of dementia was 28.2%. Age, gender, education years, subjective memory complaints, presence family history of dementia, prior experience as a caregiver of dementia, and willingness to know their own risk were determined as essential factors that influence several health belief factors related to dementia risk reduction. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that males, older adults, and lower-educated and income are priority groups that should be guided for lifestyle and behavioral changes regarding dementia risk reduction.

Validity and reliability of the Heart Disease Fact Questionnaire (HDFQ): a Rasch measurement model approach.

AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of Turkish version of the Heart Disease Fact Questionnaire (HDFQ) as a measure to evaluate heart disease risk knowledge in individuals with diabetes. METHODS: This study was conducted in the primary care clinic on 326 individuals with type 2 diabetes. The Davis Method, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and the Rasch Measurement Model used in the validity and reliability analyses. RESULTS: The validity analysis results showed Turkish version of HDFQ was content valid. The results of CFA showed the index results were very good fit. All items of the scale and the HDFQ were fit to the Rasch model and the items did not contain any differential item function. Person Separation Index showed HDFQ is reliable tool. CONCLUSIONS: The Rasch Model provides an alternative way in dealing with the challenges faced in classic methods and it is recommended to be used in health sciences. Thus, the results of this study are important. Results show that the Turkish version of the HDFQ can be used for determining awareness of heart disease risk as well as for assessing the effectiveness of implemented interventions among individuals with diabetes.

Cardiovascular Risk, Risk Knowledge, and Related Factors in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

Individuals with diabetes must be informed about cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which is the most important cause of mortality of diabetes, and the interventions should be planned according to their risk status. The aim of this study was to investigate cardiovascular risk, risk knowledge, and related factors in patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 188 participants were included in this descriptive study. Data were collected using Heart Disease Fact Questionnaire (HDFQ) and Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) Calculator. Spearman test and multiple regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Participants did not have sufficient knowledge related to CVD risk factors, and they were in the moderate CVD risk group. CVD risk was lower in subjects with high level of knowledge regarding CVD risk and lower duration of diabetes. Our findings highlight the need for interventions related to CVD, which can reduce its risk. These interventions can be specifically targeted at individuals with advanced age, a long duration of diabetes, low education level, and decreased metabolic control.

Turkish Version of the Motivation for Changing Lifestyle and Health Behavior for Reducing the Risk of Dementia Scale.

OBJECTIVE: This methodological study evaluates the validity and reliability of the Motivation for Changing Life Style and Health Behavior for Reducing the Risk of Dementia scale in Turkish. METHODS: The study enrolled 220 individuals aged 40 years and older between September 2017 and June 2018. The Kendall W analysis and content validity index were used for validity; test-retest and confirmatory factor analyses were used for the reliability analysis. RESULTS: The Turkish version of the Motivation for Changing Life Style and Health Behavior for Reducing the Risk of Dementia scale has valid content. The Cronbach α coefficient of the scale was .809, and the subscales were in the ranges of .781 to .609. A statistically significant, positive correlation was found between the test and retest scores. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the scale has validity and reliability for use in the Turkish population.