Dementia is a general term for many kinds of cognitive illnesses that cause memory loss and personality changes, among other symptoms. There are many causes of dementia, including genetic factors, environmental influences and economic standards of living.

Lack of Studies in Poor Communities

It is difficult to pinpoint the exact number of those who suffer from dementia. The lack of identification, education and methods of counting all contribute to the lack of information. Researchers were able to obtain information from only a few countries; half of the published studies were from Nigeria. They estimate that only 10% of dementia patients are formally or medically diagnosed in sub-Saharan Africa. Of those diagnosed, the majority either cannot afford medications or lack access to proper facilities in poorer areas.

Accurate numbers and the impact of dementia in poverty-stricken areas are challenging to determine because dementia is often attributed to supernatural causes. The lack of understanding of dementia as a medical condition is influenced by beliefs. Many see dementia as the result of bewitching or evil spirits. Stigmas against dementia make it harder to conduct proper studies to assess the illness’s impact on communities.

The higher prevalence of dementia in poor communities is due to factors such as lack of education, poorer health and unemployment. The misunderstanding of the condition as a medical illness versus a supernatural one complicates studies on the connection between dementia and poverty. These challenges make it difficult to implement long-term interventions and educational programs.

Caregiving

Dementia’s impact on poor communities differs among countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The economic strain of caregiving in these communities complicates basic life necessities due to the time and emotional strain required for care. For example, in Uganda, the responsibility of care falls on the family, while in South Africa, there is a culture of rotating care within the community. The care of dementia patients is emotionally draining, with 60% of survey respondents indicating that caregivers suffer from depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. However, cultural understanding and perspectives allow many to remain resilient in their situations.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that dementia is a worldwide health priority. In 2015, scientists and researchers in Finland published the results of the FINGER method. The official name is the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER). The method includes five focuses: physical activity, healthy eating, mental stimulation, social activities and cardiovascular health.

Taking Action

The Brain and Mind Institute at Aga Khan University in Nairobi, Kenya, in collaboration with the FINGERS Brain Health Institute, started Africa-FINGERS to create culturally specific lifestyles and interventions to reduce dementia. Africa-FINGERS is currently in Kenya and Nigeria, with participating countries including South Africa, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Mauritius.

One study that began in late October 2025 compares the lifestyles of two areas in Kenya: the urban city of Nairobi and a rural area in the county of Kilifi. Researchers are examining modern life in Nairobi, where residents have less social support, eat more processed foods, are less physically active and face other modern stresses, compared to rural life, which includes more social support, more physical activity and less processed food.

Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya have models that combine primary care professionals, community and family support along with modern technologies. These programs have shown greater patient and caregiver well-being compared with traditional models. They are cost-effective and will be integrated into their health systems.

South Africa has created the “Memory Teams” model. This model uses dementia-trained health workers to assess and manage health care for rural groups, even engaging with communities that have no care. It has also implemented mobile health interventions that help with self-efficacy improvement and medication adherence.

Positive Work

Dementia’s impact on poor communities ranges from the stresses of a lack of information, to depression among family members and communities, to an economic burden from caring for elderly family members. Many economic, social and religious barriers make studying dementia’s impact on poor communities in sub-Saharan Africa very challenging. Yet, despite these challenges, governmental and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) like Africa-FINGERS are studying the reasons behind the rise in dementia, along with lifestyle and policy factors, to mitigate dementia’s impact on poor communities. More information about this little-understood disease will help alleviate the emotional and economic drain on national and local levels. Researchers remain optimistic about the participation and progress yet to come.

– Jonathan Snowiss

Jonathan is based in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr