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Home
About DAC-SP
Early Detection Blueprint
Case Studies
Grant Recipients
Resource Index
US Fellowship RFI
Contact
Brunei
Brunei has a high prevalence of non-communicable diseases, which are risk factors for dementia. Despite this, the country has a low rate of dementia diagnosis, with detections often delayed until complications like falls, immobility, and aspiration pneumonia arise. The Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 predicts that the number of people living with dementia in Brunei will increase by 365% by 2050. However, there are currently no validated tools available for cognitive screening in the country. To address this, a pilot project supported by DAC was conducted to test community screening. This included training field workers in community screening and cognitive assessment, as well as organizing workshops for primary care providers and relevant specialists.
This project involved a community survey using cluster sampling to target older individuals. Specifically, the survey focused on those aged 60 and above, as well as those aged 50 and above with non-communicable diseases or risk factors for developing dementia. Participants were recruited from various community sources, including senior citizen activity centers, village heads, and community centers. They were given a questionnaire that covered dementia risk factors, symptoms of dementia, indications of concern regarding these symptoms, and a brief cognitive assessment tool (Mini-COG).
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Dr Shyh Poh Teo
Demensia Brunei, Principal Investigator
Brunei
Brunei has a high prevalence of non-communicable diseases, which are risk factors for dementia. Despite this, the country has a low rate of dementia diagnosis, with detections often delayed until complications like falls, immobility, and aspiration pneumonia arise. The Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 predicts that the number of people living with dementia in Brunei will increase by 365% by 2050. However, there are currently no validated tools available for cognitive screening in the country. To address this, a pilot project supported by DAC was conducted to test community screening. This included training field workers in community screening and cognitive assessment, as well as organizing workshops for primary care providers and relevant specialists.
This project involved a community survey using cluster sampling to target older individuals. Specifically, the survey focused on those aged 60 and above, as well as those aged 50 and above with non-communicable diseases or risk factors for developing dementia. Participants were recruited from various community sources, including senior citizen activity centers, village heads, and community centers. They were given a questionnaire that covered dementia risk factors, symptoms of dementia, indications of concern regarding these symptoms, and a brief cognitive assessment tool (Mini-COG).
A total of 1,962 participants were screened at various locations, including Senior Citizen Activity Centres, Health Centres, marketplaces, public awareness booths, public events, village head pension collections, dialysis centres, RIPAS Hospital, and various government departments or ministries. Commonly identified risk factors included hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, and kidney disease. Reported symptoms of dementia included misplacing things, memory loss, visuospatial difficulties, and mood or behavior changes. Among those with symptoms, 14.5% believed their condition was worsening, and 12% felt that their symptoms affected their activities of daily living. Additionally, 14.5% of participants showed possible cognitive impairment based on Mini-COG scoring.
SPT
Dr Shyh Poh Teo
Demensia Brunei, Principal Investigator
