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@#Introduction: Stroke is one of the most common neurological diseases, often causing death or gross physical impairment or disability. The associated risk factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and smoking should serve as warnings. However, most people are still not aware of these risks. The main aim of this study is to identify stroke awareness behavior using the construct variable from the Theory of Planned Behavior as the predictor (attitude factor, subjective norm factor, perceived behavioral factor, and intention to perform behavior). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 256 people who have a high risk of stroke at the Poncokusumo Health Center, Malang, Indonesia. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling. The authors used all the construct variables in the Theory of Planned Behavior. The stroke awareness behavior was measured using a questionnaire developed from the National Stroke Awareness Guide, while the attitude factor, subjective norm factor, perceived behavioral factor, and intention were measured using the instruments developed from standard instruments from the Theory of Planned Behavior. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM-PLS) was used to analyse the data. Result: This study found that 68.4% of respondent with high or low intention of preventing a stroke can be predicted by attitude factors, subjective norm factors, and perceived behavioral factors. While 96.1% of good or bad stroke awareness behavior can be predicted by the model used in this study, the rest (3.9%) is explained by other variables outside this research model. Conclusion: The hypothesis testing results showed that all construct variables in the Theory of Planned Behavior can be strong predictors of stroke awareness behavior. All variables in the Theory of Planned Behavior can be powerful predictors of stroke awareness behavior.
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This study assessed the level of public awareness pertaining to risk factors,symptoms, treatment and source of information in relation to stroke and transient ischaemic attack. Stroke risk profile of the respondents was correlated with their level of knowledge. Using a validated pre-tested questionnaire, 112 respondents were recruited during two separate community events. Respondents completed the questionnaire and underwent health screening. The data were analysed using SPSS version 20. Overall knowledge was poor. Only 35% of the respondents had satisfactory knowledge of the warning signs (p= 0.94) and 29% had satisfactory knowledge on the risk factors (p=0.46). When analysed according to risk groups, 26%, 30% and 41% of respondents had satisfactory awareness in the low, intermediate and high risk group, respectively. None of the respondents knew about the availability of treatment of acute stroke in the emergency department or the importance of rehabilitation as part of stroke management. Public awareness on stroke risk factors, symptoms and management is poor.
Subject(s)
StrokeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: For the improvement in stroke care, we have campaigned for stroke warning signs and its symptoms. However, few reports on the validation of symptom selection in the campaign have been published till now. METHODS: Based on the prospective stroke registry, patients were identified, who were hospitalized with stroke within 7 days from the stroke onset and had relevant lesions on their brain images. One presenting symptom was selected in each patient through review of electronic medical records by an investigator, and those collected symptoms were classified into 5 symptom categories or the unclassified. Those 5 symptom categories were developed and are being used in the stroke awareness campaign in 2009 by the Korean Stroke Society (KSS). RESULTS: A total of 3027 patients (age, 66.57+/-12.6 years; male, 58.2%) were enrolled in our study. The rate of frequency of each categorized symptom was 54.9% for unilateral numbness or weakness, 27.5% for confusion or speech disturbance, 2.8% for visual disturbance, 10.5% for dizziness or gait disturbance, 2.3% for severe headache, and 2.0% for the unclassified. Ninety-eight percent of stroke patients were classified into one of the 5 symptom categories. Confusion or speech disturbance was associated with the shorter pre-hospital delay, whereas dizziness or gait disturbance with the longer delay. Dizziness was the most frequent symptom in TIA, and so was severe headache in hemorrhagic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that the 5 stroke warning symptoms of the KSS campaign represent well the presenting symptoms of Korean patients with acute stroke or TIA.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Brain , Dizziness , Electronic Health Records , Gait , Headache , Hypesthesia , Prospective Studies , Research Personnel , StrokeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The early recognition of stroke signs and symptoms is of great relevance concerning the outcome, since it enhances the chances of thrombolytic therapy use. PURPOSE: To compare the knowledge of stroke among a community-based sample and patients treated in a cardiologic clinic. METHOD: We applied a questionnaire during one morning to people who were walking in a park (Pa) and spontaneously stopped at a health tent and during one week to patients of a cardiologic clinic (Ca). The survey assessed demographic details, awareness of stroke symptoms and signs, risk factors and general concepts of stroke. RESULTS: A total of 222 questionnaires were answered, 109 by the cardiologic clinic group and 113 by the park group. The park group recognized better three associated symptoms: headache (Ca: 39 percent; Pa: 61 percent; p: 0.001), loss of vision (Ca: 15.8 percent; Pa: 30.9 percent; p: 0.007) and unilateral paralysis/weakness (Ca: 26 percent; Pa: 41 percent; p: 0.026). The park group recognized better 3 risk factors: diabetes (Ca: 22.9 percent; Pa: 37.2 percent; p: 0.021), smoking (Ca: 51.4 percent; Pa: 67.2 percent; p: 0.011) and high cholesterol (Ca: 54.1 percent; Pa: 69.9 percent; p: 0.015). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that patients treated in a cardiologic clinic do not show a better knowledge of stroke when compared to a community-based sample. Campaigns to increase stroke knowledge can have a great impact on public health, especially among enhanced risk groups, such as cardiovascular patients.
FUNDAMENTO: O reconhecimento precoce dos sinais e sintomas de um acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) é relevante no prognóstico do paciente, pois aumenta a chance do uso da terapia trombolítica. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o conhecimento sobre AVC entre uma amostra de pacientes tratados em uma clínica cardiológica, comparando-o com o de uma amostra da população freqüentadora de um parque recreativo. MÉTODO: Aplicamos um questionário estruturado acerca de conhecimentos gerais sobre AVC a pacientes de uma clínica cardiológica durante uma semana. Aplicamos o mesmo questionário numa única manhã a freqüentadores de um parque recreativo que paravam espontaneamente em um stand de informações sobre saúde. Além de dados demográficos, o questionário avaliava conhecimento sobre sintomas e sinais de AVC, fatores de risco e conceitos gerais sobre a doença. RESULTADOS: Foram respondidos 222 questionários, 109 pelo grupo da clínica de cardiologia (Ca) e 113 pelo grupo do parque (Pa). O grupo do parque reconheceu melhor três sintomas: cefaléia (Ca: 39 por cento; Pa: 61 por cento; p: 0,001), déficit visual (Ca: 15,8 por cento; Pa: 30,9 por cento; p: 0,007) e hemiparesia (Ca: 26 por cento; Pa: 41 por cento; p: 0,026). O grupo do parque associou melhor três fatores de risco ao AVC: diabetes (Ca: 22,9 por cento; Pa: 37,2 por cento; p: 0,021), tabagismo (Ca: 51,4 por cento; Pa: 67,2 por cento; p: 0,011) e colesterol alto (Ca: 54,1 por cento; Pa: 69,9 por cento; p: 0,015). CONCLUSÃO: Nossos resultados sugerem que pacientes tratados em uma clínica cardiológica não têm melhor conhecimento sobre AVC quando comparados a uma amostra da população. Campanhas visando aumentar o conhecimento sobre o AVC podem ter grande impacto na saúde pública, especialmente entre grupos de alto risco para essa condição, como pacientes com doenças cardiovasculares.