Anlacan VMM, Lanuza PDT, Sanchez AAR, Jamora RDG. Current Status and Challenges in Dementia Care in the Philippines: A Scoping Review.
J Alzheimers Dis 2024;
97:1533-1543. [PMID:
38306035 PMCID:
PMC10894570 DOI:
10.3233/jad-230845]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Background
Dementia prevalence is increasing in low- and middle-income countries such as the Philippines.
Objective
This study aimed to give an overview of dementia care in the Philippines and to identify gaps in terms of local epidemiology, research, financial coverage, diagnostics, pharmacotherapy, manpower, and caregiver support.
Methods
This scoping review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines extension for scoping reviews. Six international and two local databases, and government and non-government websites were searched. Data published in the English or Filipino language on dementia epidemiology, research, diagnostics, management, manpower, and training were extracted from the earliest indexed record until June 2022.
Results
The prevalence of dementia in the Philippines is high and research output on all aspects of dementia is low. Cost is a major barrier as health care coverage is limited, with reliance mainly on out-of-pocket payments, leading to challenges in the proper diagnosis and treatment of dementia. There is a low specialist-to-population ratio, with shortages beyond manpower and training.
Conclusions
Gaps in dementia care include limited published local data, high healthcare costs, inadequate health financing, and limited manpower.
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