Development and Evaluation of a Web-based Education Program to Prevent Secondary Stroke

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to develop and evaluate a web-based education program for secondary stroke prevention. METHODS: A web-based secondary stroke prevention education program was developed using the system's life cycle methods and evaluated by comparing the effects of education among three groups, a web group, a booklet group and a control group. RESULTS: Knowledge level of both patients and family, as well as some health behavior compliance in the web-based and booklet education groups were significantly higher than those of the control group. Family support in the web-based and booklet education groups was significantly higher than that of the control group after 12 weeks. The urine cotinine level in the web-based education group was significantly lower than that of the control group after 12 weeks. Medication adherence, blood pressure and perceived health status were not statistically different among the three groups at any time. CONCLUSION: Web-based and booklet education programs were equally effective regarding the level of knowledge of patients and their families, family support, health behavior compliance, and urine cotinine level. These results demonstrate the potential use of a web-based education program for secondary stroke prevention.