PREVALENCE OF COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG THE ELDERLY IN PHU AN COMMUNE, PHU VANG DISTRICT, THUA THIEN HUE PROVINCE IN 2016

Background: Cognitive impairment is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among the elderly. Cognitive impairment not only seriously affects the quality of the patient’s life but also has a great impact on physical, psychological and economic situation of family caregivers and society. There is little research on the prevalence of cognitive impairment and its related factors in Vietnam. Aims: The aims of this study were: (i) To examine the prevalence of cognitive impairment among the elderly in Phu An commune, Phu Vang district, Thua Thien Hue province (ii) To examine some associated factors of cognitive impairment among participants. Methods: A randomly selected sample of 343 people aged 60 years and over living in Phu An commune were interviewed and examined. MMSE test (Mini Mental State Examination) was used as a screening instrument for cognitive impairment. Multilogistic regression was undertaken for exploring associated factors of cognitive impairment. Results: The overall prevalence of cognitive impairment was 19.5%. Increasing age, inconvenient marital status (single, widowed, separate), living alone were associated with increasing risk of acquiring cognitive impairment. Conclusion: In this population, probable cognitive impairment is common. Health education program and routine health checkup for early detection and intervention of cognitive impairment are urgently needed among the elderly in Vietnam. Key words: Cognitive impairment, prevalence, associated factors, elderly people