Understanding Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs about Parkinson's Disease in the Philadelphia Community - A Cross Cultural Comparison (P06.071)

Objective: To develop strategies for reducing PD treatment disparities, we aimed to understand knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about PD across different racial/ethnic groups. Background Traditionally underserved minorities with Parkinson9s disease (PD) are at an increased risk of delayed PD diagnosis. Of those diagnosed, only a small proportion receives treatment compared to Caucasians. Design/Methods: We conducted ten focus groups of six to eight Caucasian, African-American and Chinese older adults at senior centers in Philadelphia. This was followed by a survey of knowledge and attitudes about PD and PD treatment among senior center members and individuals attending PD support groups as a comparison group. Major themes were identified from the focus groups, and compared by race/ethnicity. ANOVA and chi-square tests were used to assess differences in PD knowledge and attitudes. Potential confounders were controlled for in multivariate regression analyses. Results: Focus group participants included 23 Caucasian, 35 African-American and 16 Chinese older adults while 62 Caucasian, 47 African-American and 45 Chinese individuals completed the survey. Common themes across race/ethnicity about PD were: fear, loss of independence, hopefulness for a cure, and worry about becoming a burden to family. Unique themes were mistrust in the healthcare system and language as barriers to care among African Americans and Chinese, respectively. Significantly more Caucasians (61%) and African-Americans (65%) than Chinese (34%) older adults correctly understood that medications can improve symptoms of PD (p = 0.011). Furthermore, 46% of the Chinese agreed that PD is a natural result of aging, compared to 24% of African Americans and 5.3% of Caucasians (p Conclusions: Overall, knowledge in the community about PD was relatively low across all groups. Several racial/ethnic differences in barriers to care identified in both focus groups and survey responses may partly explain PD treatment disparities. Supported by: The Parkinson Council. Disclosure: Dr. Pan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Stutzbach has nothing to disclose. Dr. Reichwein has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dahodwala has nothing to disclose.