Journal article
Knowledge and attitudes about Parkinson’s disease among a diverse group of older adults
Journal of cross-cultural gerontology, v 29(3), pp 339-352
Sep 2014
PMID: 24752756
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Underserved minorities are vulnerable to diagnostic delays and under-treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to understand knowledge and attitudes about PD among a racially/ethnically diverse group of community members. In the qualitative arm, 10 homogeneous focus groups of 6 to 8 White, African-American and Chinese-Americans older adults at senior centers in Philadelphia were conducted. Next, for the quantitative piece, a questionnaire of knowledge and attitudes about PD was administered among a larger group of senior center members. Themes were identified from the focus group discussions. ANOVA and chi-square tests were used to assess differences in PD knowledge and attitudes among the different racial/ethnic groups. Logistic regression analyzed for independent factors associated with barriers to treatment. Seventy-five adults participated in the focus groups (23 Whites, 36 African-Americans and 16 Chinese-Americans) and 154 completed the questionnaire (62 Whites, 47 African-Americans and 45 Chinese-Americans). One common theme about developing PD was fear of losing independence. Racial/ethnic groups identified unique barriers to care: mistrust in the healthcare system by African-Americans and language difficulties by Chinese-Americans. 80% of all participants had no to some knowledge of PD. African-Americans and Chinese-Americans were more likely to perceive PD as a part of normal aging than whites. Chinese-Americans were more likely to perceive barriers to treatment than whites. A diverse sample of older adults demonstrated low levels of PD knowledge through both qualitative and quantitative methods. Many barriers to PD care were identified. Targeted community outreach and education efforts should incorporate information about PD and how to receive care.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Knowledge and attitudes about Parkinson’s disease among a diverse group of older adults
- Creators
- Sarah Pan - Drexel University School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Philadelphia, United StatesJulie Stutzbach - University of Pennsylvania, Department of Neurology, Philadelphia, United StatesSuzanne Reichwein - University of Pennsylvania, Department of Neurology, Philadelphia, United StatesBrian K Lee - Drexel University School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Philadelphia, United StatesNabila Dahodwala - University of Pennsylvania, Department of Neurology, Philadelphia, United States
- Publication Details
- Journal of cross-cultural gerontology, v 29(3), pp 339-352
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000436660200007
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84906082159
- Other Identifier
- 991014877649904721
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InCites Highlights
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Gerontology