Psychometric Properties of the Polish Version of the Frontotemporal Dementia Knowledge Scale

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Taking into account a progressive increase in the number of individuals affected by dementia and the importance of being knowledgeable about its symptoms, it has become crucial to develop well-validated instruments for measuring knowledge about dementia. The aim of this study was to translate and validate the Frontotemporal Dementia Knowledge Scale (FTDKS) in a Polish population. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The FTDKS was translated into the Polish language based on the most highly recommended methodological approaches for translating and validating instruments for cross-cultural healthcare research. Psychometric properties were evaluated in a sample of 869 individuals (general population, healthcare professionals, and caregivers) who completed the questionnaire. The reliability of the FTDKS was tested as an internal consistency using both Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega factor analysis. The convergent and discriminant validity was assessed using the Heterotrait-monotrait Ratio of Correlation between scores of FTDKS, vocabulary intelligence, and Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (AKDS). <b><i>Results:</i></b> The results indicate that the scale produces satisfactory psychometric properties (Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega over 0.80). The internal consistency was slightly higher in the population of healthcare professionals and caregivers than among the general population. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> The internal consistency of the Polish version of FTDKS demonstrates a similar validity to the original version. The FTDKS can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of educational interventions among caregivers, healthcare professionals, and the general population.

Development of a knowledge scale for nutrients of tropical and traditional fruits

PurposeThe aim of this study is to develop a knowledge scale for nutrients of tropical and traditional fruits for university students and conduct its validity and reliability. Another purpose of the study is to determine whether or not the students' knowledge mean scores about nutrients of tropical and traditional fruits vary based on their demographic information.Design/methodology/approachThe design of the study was the survey model. While the population consisted of 1,551 students studying in the faculty of health sciences, Gazi University, the sample consisted of 668 students who were determined based on criterion sampling.FindingsWhen examining in terms of gender of the students, it was determined that even though mean score of the knowledge scale for nutritional values of tropical and traditional fruits was slightly higher in female students (X¯ = 8.12) than male students (X¯ = 7.71), there was an insignificant difference between them (t(666) = 1.25, p > 0.05). A significant difference was determined between the students' knowledge mean scores of the knowledge scale for nutritional values of tropical and traditional fruits in terms of residence place (t(666) = 2.86, p < 0.5). While the nutritional value mean score of the students residing in Ankara was low (X¯ = 7.67), the nutritional value mean score of the students residing out of Ankara was high (X¯ = 8.58).Originality/valueWhen the scale developed in this study is analysed according to demographic information, it can be asserted that the students had knowledge about the nutrients of tropical and traditional fruits. Although tropical fruits are expensive, they still prefer these fruits. It can be stated that the students had knowledge about the diversity, nutritional compounds and antioxidant content of tropical and traditional fruits.

Spanish version of the Frontotemporal Dementia Knowledge Scale: adaptation and validation

ABSTRACT Background: Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a neurodegenerative disease and is one of the most common causes of dementia in people under 65. There is often a significant diagnostic delay, as FTD can be confused with other psychiatric conditions. A lack of knowledge regarding FTD by health professionals is one possible cause for this diagnostic confusion. Objectives: The aim of this study was to adapt and validate the Frontotemporal Dementia Knowledge Scale (FTDKS) in Spanish. Methods: A translation was done, following cross-cultural adaptation guidelines, which consisted of forward translation, blind back translation, and an analysis by a committee of experts. For the present study, 134 professionals from different health areas responded the Spanish version of the FTDKS. The statistical analysis was performed using R version 4.0.0 “Arbor day” and the Psych, sjPlot packages. Results: The Spanish version of the FTDKS had good reliability and internal consistency (Cronbach alpha 0.74.). The sample's mean score was 19.78 (range = 4-32, SD 6.3) out of a maximum of 36 points. Conclusions: The results obtained show that the Spanish version has good psychometric properties. The FTDKS is applicable in our environment and can be a useful tool to evaluate the knowledge of health professionals regarding frontotemporal dementia.

Palliative Care Knowledge and Planning in U.S. Adults

Palliative care knowledge and health literacy are frequently underestimated in American adults; for example, as measured by the Newest Vital Sign (Weiss et al., 2005), 79.2% (n = 247) of participants within a Geriatrics Clinic sample displayed “adequate” functional health literacy, while 11.8% (n = 37) scored within the “possibly limited” range, and 9.0% (n = 28) scored within the “highly limited” range. There was additionally a significant association between health literacy and age (r = .15, p &lt; .01) within this sample. The Palliative Care Knowledge Scale (PaCKS; Kozlov et al., 2018) was administered to participants, and higher scores indicated a greater knowledge of palliative care. This construct is particularly important to measure, as racial/ethnic disparities exist within this domain; for example, African Americans may have lower overall knowledge of palliative care services and advance care planning than non-Hispanic Whites (Noh et al., 2018). In the current study, knowledge of palliative care was measured using the PaCKS (Kozlov et al., 2018), and scores represented the widest possible range of 0 to 13 (M = 7.68, SD = 4.08). There was a significant correlation between age and PaCKS score (r = .12, p &lt; .05), as palliative care knowledge increased with age. Females scored significantly higher (M = 8.29, SD = 3.91) than males (M = 6.81, SD = 4.18), t(309) = 3.18, p &lt; .001. There was no main effect of race on palliative care knowledge, and post-hoc analysis using Tukey HSD did not demonstrate significant differences between groups.

Dementia Ready: Comparing Approaches for Building Caregiver Readiness and Knowledge of Dementia

Despite the rising prevalence of dementia and the high cost and complexity of care for people with dementia, most dementia care is provided at home by informal caregivers who are not clinically trained. Building caregiver readiness and knowledge of dementia is key to supporting quality care and desirable health outcomes, such as preventing falls and reducing nursing home admissions. We sought to determine and compare the impact of two interventions—Resilient Living with Dementia (RLWD) and Care of Persons with Dementia in their Environments (COPE)—and of their combined delivery (both RLWD and COPE) on increasing caregiver readiness and knowledge of dementia. Between January 2019 and March 2021, 77 caregivers of people with dementia in Connecticut participated in RLWD and/or COPE and completed the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) and the Preparedness for Caregiving Scale (PCGS) at baseline and at four-month and ten-month follow-ups. Analyses were conducted to compare outcomes by intervention(s). From baseline to four months and to ten months, we observed statistically significant (p &lt; .05) improvement on the ADKS among participants in RLWD, and on the PCGS among participants in COPE and among participants in RLWD. The most substantial impact on PCGS was observed among participants in both COPE and RLWD. No improvement in the ADKS was observed among participants in only COPE, but ADKS improvement was observed at four months among participants in COPE and RLWD. Findings suggest that the benefits of COPE and RLWD for building dementia caregiver readiness are complementary and mutually reinforcing.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Brazilian version of the Cystic Fibrosis Knowledge Scale (CFKS)

Background Information on the level of knowledge about cystic fibrosis (CF) among affected people and their families is still scarce. Objective This study aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt and analyze the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of Cystic Fibrosis Knowledge Scale (CFKS). Materials and methods The translation and cross-cultural adaptation involved the stages of translation, synthesis of translations, reverse translation, synthesis of reverse translations, review by a multi-professional committee of experts and pre-testing. The reliability, viability, construct, predictive, concurrent and discriminant validity were investigated. Results The sample consisted of 40 individuals with cystic CF, 47 individuals with asthma, 242 healthcare workers and 81 students from the health area. The Brazilian version of the CFKS presented high internal consistency (α = 0.91), moderate floor and ceiling effects, without differences in the test-retest scores. An analysis of factorial exploration identified three dimensions. Confirmatory factor analysis led to an acceptable data-model fit. There was good predictive validity, with a difference in the scores among all the evaluated groups (p <0.001), as well as good discriminant validity since individuals with asthma had greater knowledge of asthma compared to CF (r = 0.401, p = 0.005; r2 = 0.162). However, there was no difference between the diagnosis time and knowledge about CF (r = -0.25, p = 0.11; r2 = 0.06), either between treatment adherence and knowledge about CF (r = -0.04, p = 0.77; r2 = 0.002). Conclusion The Brazilian version of the CFKS indicated that the scale is able to provide valid, reliable and reproducible measures for evaluating the knowledge about CF.

Psycoeducation of Responsible Scouts Care for Others in Disaster Response

The attitude of disaster response to disaster-affected communities in general is an urgent priority to be given so that the community becomes resilient. So far, people are accustomed to relying on government assistance and are not able to provide an appropriate first response. This is because the community does not understand how to act appropriately when a disaster occurs in the area where they live. Law No. 24 of 2007 on Disaster Management. The subjects in this study were 110 Advanced Coaches, the Surabaya Kwarcab Helping Brigade, the Surabaya Kwarcab Care Scouts, the Surabaya Kwartir Branch Work Council using a knowledge scale on disaster response and psychoeducation related to Psychological First Aids. The results of the calculation of the t test (Paired Sample Test) obtained the results of t = 6.473 at p = 0.000. This means that between the pre-test and post-test of there is a very significant difference the experimental group in the knowledge of disaster response. The pre-test of the experimental group (Mean = 96.2553) was higher than the post-test of the experimental group (Mean = 88.5745), this indicates that PFA psychoeducation can increase knowledge about disaster response, thus indicating a significant relationship between psychoeducational independent variables. PFA with the dependent variable is knowledge about disaster response. The implication of this research is that it is expected to become an extension program so that it can increase knowledge related to disaster mitigation so that in the future members of the Rescue Brigadier can become the vanguard of disaster mitigation.

New Zealanders’ Attitudes towards Biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand

<p>New Zealand’s aspiration to be a bicultural nation, has yet to be realised. Māori continue to experience discrimination across all life domains. Research published in 2004, reported New Zealanders as being more supportive of symbolic than resource-based biculturalism. However, socio-political changes, the absence of research examining New Zealanders’ Treaty knowledge, and implicit racial biases towards Māori, suggest an update of this work is needed. Across two studies, this research aimed to investigate New Zealanders’ attitudes towards biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand. In Study 1, New Zealand born undergraduates (N = 56), completed the Implicit Association Test, a Pākehā Attitudes Towards Biculturalism Scale, a Treaty of Waitangi knowledge scale and estimated their declared Treaty of Waitangi knowledge. Study 2 was designed to replicate Study 1, and address limitations with a larger, more representative sample (N= 100). The Dunning-Kruger effect was also a specific focus. Across both studies, New Zealanders were more supportive of symbolic rather than resource-based biculturalism and showed an implicit racial bias towards Māori. In Study 2, we revealed new empirical evidence for the Dunning-Kruger effect: when estimating their knowledge relative to peers: lower performers over-estimated their knowledge whereas higher performers under-estimated their knowledge. Our results highlight that New Zealanders’ attitudes towards biculturalism have remained relatively unchanged since Sibley and Liu’s (2004) work, and raise concern for the aspirations of New Zealand as a bicultural nation. Implications and future research directions are discussed.</p>