Encouraging Cognitive Screenings at African American Churches

The primary aim of this study is to conduct an exploratory pilot study to examine feasibility and outcomes of a culturally/religiously-tailored church-based dementia screening intervention among older adult African American church members and community members who use church outreach services in 4 African American churches (N=100). Our secondary outcomes are to assess the impact of the intervention on dementia-related stigma and linkage to care. Intervention content is based on the Theory of Planned Behavior; intervention delivery is based on the Social-Ecological Model - both guided by a faith community engagement approach. Trained faith leaders will deliver the tailored intervention through multilevel church outlets: individual self-help resources (e.g., risk checklist, commitment to screening cards); group ministry discussion guides/seminar on dementia; church-wide services using sermon guides, responsive readings, and church bulletin inserts; and church-community level text messages, dementia screening, and linkage to care services. Two screening events will be held at each church. We will also conduct a process evaluation that will include post-test study focus groups.

Specific Aim 1. Test a religiously/culturally-tailored, church-based dementia screening intervention on receipt of dementia screening, stigma, and linkage to care use among an older adult African American church-populations at 4 months.

Hypothesis. The tailored church-based dementia screening intervention will evidence increased screening and linkage to care rates, and lower dementia-related stigma beliefs at 4 months.

Specific Aim 2. Evaluate predictors of receipt of dementia screening at 4 months among older adult African American church-populations to determine modifiable screening facilitators/barriers.

Specific Aim 3. Conduct a process evaluation to examine study intervention implementation facilitators, barriers, and dose along with exposure and satisfaction to identify essential intervention components.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥55
• Regular church member (attending church > monthly) or community member receiving church outreach services (>3 times annually)
• Willing to participate in two surveys (baseline and 4 months)
• Willing to provide contact information for at least 2 other persons
• Residing in the Kansas City metropolitan area
• Provide a working contact email address or number

Exclusion criteria

• None