Effectiveness of health management among individuals at high risk of stroke: An intervention study based on the health ecology model and self-determination theory (HEM-SDT).

Background: Stroke is the second leading cause of death in adults worldwide. However, up to 80% of strokes can be prevented by modifying risk factors. Objective: The study aims to assess the effectiveness of the Health Ecology Model and Self-Determination Theory (HEM-SDT) based health management intervention among individuals at high risk of stroke. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Zhengzhou from May 1st, 2020, to December 31st, 2020. A total of 229 participants were recruited for the study, with 116 individuals at high risk of stroke being randomly assigned to the HEM-SDT health management group, while 113 participants were enrolled in the control group, following their current routine practices. The Generalized Estimating Equation model (GEE) was used to analyze the differences in health knowledge, belief and, behavior between the two groups at the beginning of the intervention, and at 6-month intervals after the intervention. The chi-square test was utilized to assess the control rate of risk factors. Results: After 6 months of intervention, there were significant improvements in health knowledge, behavior, and belief among the participants. The study found significant differences in the interaction effects between time and group for health knowledge (Mean, SD = 25.62 ± 3.88, 95%CI: 7.944-9.604, P＜0.001), health belief (Mean, SD = 87.18 ± 14.21, 95%CI: 23.999-29.887, P＜0.001), and health behavior (Mean, SD = 173.28 ± 24.22, 95%CI: 22.332-36.904, P＜0.001). Additionally, the rates of hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, high or medium risk condition of stroke, obesity, hyperhomocysteinemia, smoking, alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise also showed statistical significance (P＜0.05) after the intervention. Conclusion: The HEM-SDT health management model improves the health knowledge, behavior, and beliefs in people at high risk of stroke and remarkably it shows improvement in modifiable risk factors. It can be recommended for systematic health management in people at high-risk of stroke.

Association between illness perception and health behaviour among stroke patients: The mediation effect of coping style.

AIMS: This study aims to explore illness perception and coping style in relation to health behaviour and the mediating role of coping style between illness perception and health behaviour among stroke patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: This survey was conducted with 515 stroke patients aged ≥18 years from September 2019 to January 2020 in Zhengzhou, China. The demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, Stroke Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised, Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, and Health Behavior Scale for Stroke Patients were included in this study. Data analysis was performed by correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, and structural equation modelling. RESULTS: The valid questionnaires were 495 (effective response rate: 96.1%). Low negative illness perception, high positive coping style, and low negative coping style are related to high level of health promoting behaviour (all p < 0.01). The results revealed that the effect of illness perception on health behaviour was partly mediated by coping style. It also confirmed that the mediation effect accounts for 43.7% (-0.169/-0.387) of the total effect. CONCLUSION: Illness perception may influence health behaviour partly because of coping style. IMPACT: This study implies that targeted interventions for stroke patients' illness perception are needed to motivate them to take proactive coping strategy to ultimately improve their health behaviours.