Epidemca baseline & follow-up: Dementia prevalence, incidence and mortality among older adults in central africa

A multicenter population-based study was carried out in Central African Republic (CAR) and Republic of Congo between 2011 and 2012 including both urban and rural sites in each country. Participants aged ≥65 years old were interviewed and participants in Congo were followed-up annually between 2012 and 2015 (EPIDEMCA-FU study). Qualitative interviews using an ethno-anthropological approach were also performed with people identified with dementia and their relatives in order to investigate social representations, beliefs and stigma. Results Overall, 2,002 elderly were interviewed in both countries, including 473 in Nola (rural CAR), 500 in Bangui (urban CAR), 529 in Gamboma (rural Congo) and 500 in Brazzaville (urban Congo). The crude prevalence of DSM-IV dementia was estimated at 8.5% (CI95%[6.1-11.3] in Nola, at 6.4% (CI95%[4.4-8.9]) in Bangui, 5.7% (CI95% [3.9-8.0] in Gamboma and at 6.6% (CI95%[4.6-9.1]) in Brazzaville. The crude incidence was estimated at 15.8 (95% CI 10.2 – 23.3) per 1000 PY. Factors associated with either prevalent or incident dementia in these studies, as well as the results of the qualitative interviews, will be detailed during the presentation. Conclusion The need for targeted social and health policies for older people, as well as strategies for dementia care, is evident and growing in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).