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. 2024 Aug 21:12:1418867.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1418867. eCollection 2024.

Fostering social health of people with dementia: evaluation of the Razem przed siebie dementia awareness campaign in Poland

M Błaszkiewicz  1 , D Szcześniak  1 , M Ciułkowicz  1 , Julia Ewa Rymaszewska  2 , L-F Low  3 , H Brodaty  4 , J Rymaszewska  5
Affiliations

Fostering social health of people with dementia: evaluation of the Razem przed siebie dementia awareness campaign in Poland

M Błaszkiewicz et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Due to the need to increase social awareness about dementia and the needs of patients living with dementia in Poland, the Razem przed siebie (eng. Forward with Dementia) campaign was created. The aim of the study was to evaluate its effectiveness.

Methods: To disseminate key campaign messages to the target audiences (people with dementia, carers, health and social care professionals [HSCP] and general public) a website, social and traditional media promotions, webinars and social activities were created. The campaign ran between September 2021 and April 2022. Mixed methods (online survey, reach estimates and interviews) were used to evaluate the campaign.

Results: Almost 1,300 people visited the website during the campaign period. Of these, 55 carers and HSCP responded to the online survey. The most read section of the website was Understanding the diagnosis (carers [56% of 25] and HSCP [80% out of 30]). The website was mostly accessed by carers (68%) and HSCP (66.7%) through word-of-mouth recommendations. 80% carers and 90% HSCP found the website very or extremely helpful. Over 90% of carers and HSCP expressed an intention to revisit the website. Based on 31 interviews, campaign effects, change mechanisms and limitations were identified. Campaign events elicited positive emotions among people with dementia, providing them with a feeling of belonging and engagement. Esteeming personal interactions over informational campaign materials, those with dementia felt acknowledged and empowered by the events. Carers also reported positive experiences and increased interest and knowledge, though they expressed disappointment with the lack of respite care, an issue beyond the campaign's scope. HSCP perceived the campaign events positively and identified significant gaps in the dementia care system.

Conclusion: Evaluation of the Razem przed siebie campaign revealed successes and limitations. While effectively incorporating anti-stigma campaign recommendations and enhancing social health for individuals with dementia, the campaign clearly showed the pressing need for systemic solutions. Despite positive perception of the campaign, there is a need for a better diagnostic and post-diagnostic support for people with dementia and their carers.

Keywords: campaign; dementia; evaluation research; social health; stigma.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Highlights from the Razem przed siebie campaign and the Polish logo.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Survey data. (A) Time spent on the website; (B) Information read; (C) Website helpfulness; (D) Website information source; (E) Ease of use; (F) Plan to visit the website again.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Qualitative themes arrangement.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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