Stroke Knowledge Among Stroke Support Group Members

Abstract

Background and Purpose-Community stroke education is needed to improve early stroke recognition and reduce delays in the referral of stroke patients. In some regions, stroke support groups are important promoters of regional stroke education. However, there are no data about the level of stroke knowledge among support group members that support this promotional role. Methods-We performed a cross-sectional questionnaire survey among 11 German stroke support groups. The questionnaire asked for stroke knowledge and sociodemographic and medical data. Stroke knowledge was excellent if a participant knew (1) at least 2 stroke symptoms (good symptom knowledge) and (2) at least 2 stroke risk factors (good risk factor knowledge), as well as knowing (3) that immediate hospital admission or an emergency call is necessary in case of stroke (good action knowledge). Results-A total of 133 members (96.2%) of 11 stroke support groups took part in the study. Mean age was 65.3 years (SD 11.2 years). Fifty-four percent of subjects were female, 72.8% were retired, and 69.8% were stroke patients. Of the participants, 80.3% had good symptom knowledge, 64.7% had good risk factor knowledge, and 79.7% had good action knowledge. Stroke knowledge was excellent in 44.0% of subjects. Logistic regression analysis showed that age Ͻ70 years and not having had a stroke were significant predictors for excellent stroke knowledge. Conclusions-Overall, members of stroke support groups are well informed about all aspects of modern stroke care.

Knowledge of heart disease and stroke among cardiology inpatients and outpatients in a Canadian inner-city urban hospital

“…Eighty-seven per cent of the surveyed subjects were able to name at least two risk factors and, therefore, had good knowledge according to criteria set by Weltermann et al (15) (Figure 1B). This compares favourably with the number of people able to identify two or more risk factors (25% to 62%) in open-ended telephone surveys of the general population's knowledge of heart disease and stroke (7)(8)(9)).…”

“…Alcohol abuse, hypertension, diabetes, age and sex were the five least commonly stated risk factors ( Figure 1A). Eightyseven per cent of subjects were able to name at least two risk factors and, therefore, had good knowledge according to criteria set by Weltermann et al (15). A total of 50% named at least four risk factors and had excellent knowledge.…”

“…Following the criteria used by Weltermann et al (15), subjects were classified as having good knowledge of risk factors, heart attack warning symptoms or stroke warning symptoms if they were able to identify at least two correct answers in each category. In addition, subjects were defined as having excellent knowledge if they were able to identify at least four correct responses.…”

Ethnic Disparities in Stroke Recognition in Individuals with Prior Stroke

“…Weltermann and colleagues examined stroke awareness (stroke symptom knowledge) in 93 stroke patients and 40 family members and volunteers and found that history of prior stroke, age .70, and poor self-reported health status emerged as predictors of poor stroke knowledge. 15 While older age, 5,10 race, 5 and lower levels of education 5,10 are frequently associated with poor stroke awareness, sex (male), 5,10 hypertension, smoking status, and self-reported poor health status 10 have also been reported as independent factors associated with poor recognition of early warning signs of stroke. One significant predictor of greater stroke awareness did emerge: post-high school education.…”

“…Studies of stroke awareness among individuals with stroke risk factors traditionally emphasize hypertension, 4,5,8,10 cardiovascular disease (CVD), 4,5,8,12 diabetes, 4,5,8,12 high cholesterol, 4,8,12,13 smoking history, 4,5,7,8,10,12 and other stroke risk factors. Fewer studies have considered individuals with prior history of stroke 14,15 even though estimates suggest that within five years, 24% of women and 42% of men with history of prior stroke will have a second stroke. 16 Further, individuals with history of prior stroke typically exhibit a number of associated factors (e.g., race/ethnicity, age, presence of other stroke risk factors) that increase their likelihood of a second stroke.…”