Cognitive Disorders Awareness and Associated Risk Factors in Xizang Autonomous Region

To investigate the awareness of cognitive impairment disorders among residents of the Xizang Autonomous Region and its influencing factors, thereby providing a basis for targeted prevention and treatment efforts.

From April to December 2024, a questionnaire survey was conducted among permanent residents aged ≥18 years (residing in the Xizang Autonomous Region for 180 days or more). The survey was primarily conducted online, supplemented by QR code distribution during community medical outreach by healthcare workers. Demographic information and data on awareness of cognitive disorders were collected, and an ordered Logistic regression model was used to analyze influencing factors in the overall population and stratified by occupation.

A total of 327 questionnaires were collected, with 14 excluded (13 for not meeting residency requirements and 1 for self-reported diagnosis of cognitive impairment), leaving 313 valid questionnaires. The average age of respondents was 42.0±11.9 years; 108 (34.5%) were male, and 205 (65.5%) were female. Most respondents were from Lhasa (78.6%, 246/313); 179 (57.2%) were healthcare workers, and 134 (42.8%) were non-healthcare workers. Regarding awareness of cognitive impairment disorders, 7.3% (23/313) were "unaware", 75.7% (237/313) were "partially aware", and 16.9% (53/313) were "well aware".Ordered Logistic regression analysis revealed that education level of high school or below (OR=2.82, 95% CI: 1.18-6.75, P=0.020), non-healthcare workers (OR=4.03, 95% CI: 2.00-8.14, P < 0.001), and no prior contact with cognitive impairment patients (OR=2.95, 95% CI: 1.64-5.32, P < 0.001) were associated with lower disease awareness. Subgroup analysis stratified by occupation showed that education level of high school or below (OR=3.00, 95% CI: 1.10-8.15, P=0.031) and no prior contact with cognitive impairment patients (OR=3.13, 95% CI: 1.14-8.60, P=0.027) were associated with lower awareness among non-healthcare workers, while no prior contact with cognitive impairment patients (OR=3.40, 95% CI: 1.61-7.20, P=0.001) was associated with lower awareness among healthcare workers.

Awareness of cognitive impairment disorders among residents of the Xizang Autonomous Region needs improvement. Educational level, occupation, and prior contact with cognitive impairment patients significantly influence disease awareness. Enhancing overall education levels and using vivid clinical case presentations in health education and public outreach are key strategies to improve public awareness of cognitive impairment disorders.