Aims: This study examined gender differences in knowledge of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, perceived risk, self-efficacy for risk reduction, and preferences for dementia-related health information.
Methods: A mixed-methods convergent triangulation design was used. Adults aged ≥40 years completed an online survey assessing knowledge, perceived risk, health information-seeking behaviour, and self-efficacy. Survey items were primarily adapted from validated scales. Semi-structured interviews explored perceptions of MCI and dementia, gendered patterns of risk perception and help-seeking, and preferences for health information. Quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated during interpretation.
Results: Seventy-four eligible survey responses were analysed (26 men, 41 women, 7 non-binary), alongside 14 interviews (6 men, 7 women, 1 non-binary). Self-reported understanding of dementia was high (89.2%), while understanding of MCI was lower (63.5%) and varied by gender (women 73.2%, men 57.7%, non-binary 28.6%). Many participants conflated MCI with dementia. Awareness of modifiable risk factors differed, with men and non-binary participants more likely to dismiss psychosocial and environmental risks. Although most participants endorsed lifestyle change as beneficial (80%) and wanted to start prevention early (78%), fewer felt confident initiating prevention (38%). Interview findings indicated women engaged in more proactive and diverse information-seeking strategies, while men were perceived to delay help-seeking.
Conclusions: Persistent gaps in understanding of MCI and low self-efficacy suggest opportunities to strengthen early engagement with prevention by better aligning information and support with gendered patterns of understanding and information-seeking. Approaches that move beyond uniform messaging and acknowledge these differences may support more effective and equitable dementia risk reduction.