Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: Prevalence, Symptom Severity, and Caregiver Distress in South-Western Uganda—A Quantitative Cross-Sectional Study

Ronald Kamoga, Vincent Mubangizi (), Judith Owokuhaisa, Moses Muwanguzi, Sylivia Natakunda and Godfrey Zari Rukundo
Additional contact information
Ronald Kamoga: Department of Anatomy, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara P.O. Box 1410, Uganda
Vincent Mubangizi: Department of Community Practice and Family Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara P.O. Box 1410, Uganda
Judith Owokuhaisa: Department of Physiotherapy, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara P.O. Box 1410, Uganda
Moses Muwanguzi: Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara P.O. Box 1410, Uganda
Sylivia Natakunda: Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara P.O. Box 1410, Uganda
Godfrey Zari Rukundo: Department of Psychiatry, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara P.O. Box 1410, Uganda

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-12

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to investigate behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSD) prevalence, severity, and distress experienced by caregivers of people living with dementia (PLWD). A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted in a rural area in southwestern Uganda. A Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) was used to determine the presence of BPSD as perceived by caregivers of PLWD. We carried out both descriptive and inferential data analysis. A total of 175 caregivers of PLWD were enrolled in this study. Among PLWD, 99% had presented BPSD in the past month. Hallucinations (75%) and dysphoria/depression (81%) were the two BPSD that occurred most frequently. Most participants (70%) stated that PLWD experienced hallucinations of significant severity. Aberrant motor activity was reported by 60% of the participants as the type of BPSD that caused severe distress. There was a high positive correlation (0.82) between the total severity score and total distress scores. Interventions aimed at addressing dysphoria and hallucinations may be essential for the reduction of caregiver distress. These findings point to the need for promoting early screening for BPSDs and the provision of support to caregivers.

Keywords: behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia; dementia; distress; neuropsychiatric symptoms; caregiver; Uganda (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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