Michael Annear|Christine Toye|Kate Ellen J. Elliott|Fran McInerney|Claire Eccleston|Andrew Robinson
Dementia knowledge assessment scale (DKAS): confirmatory factor analysis and comparative subscale scores among an international cohort
University of Tasmania|University of Tasmania|University of Tasmania|University of Tasmania|University of Tasmania|University of Tasmania
dementia lifelimiting condition increasing global prevalence line population ageing context necessary accurately measure dementia knowledge across spectrum health professional lay populations aim informing targeted educational interventions improving literacy care support building prior exploratory analysis informed development preliminarily valid reliable version dementia knowledge assessment scale dkas confirmatory factor analysis cfa performed affirm construct validity proposed subscales increase measures utility academics educators large de novo sample 3649 volunteer respondents dementiarelated online course recruited evaluate performance dkas proposed subscales respondents represented diverse cohorts including health professionals students members general public analyses included cfa using structural equation modelling measures internal consistency nonparametric tests subscale correlation spearman correlation score differences cohorts kruskalwallis oneway analysis variance findings cfa supported 25item fourfactor model dkas two items removed due poor performance one item moved factors resultant model exhibited good reliability 85 h 87 overall scale acceptable subscale internal consistency 65 subscales subscales showed acceptable correlation without indication redundancy finally total dkas subscale scores showed good discrimination cohorts respondents would anticipated hold different levels knowledge basis education experience related dementia dkas confirmed reliable valid measure dementia knowledge diverse populations capable elucidating knowledge characteristics across four coherent domains 1 causes characteristics 2 communication behaviour 3 care considerations 4 risks health promotion importantly four confirmed subscales clearly distinguish groups might expected hold differing levels knowledge dementia allowing finegrained level detail established evaluating baseline understanding knowledge change associated educational intervention