The Effects of a Secondary Stroke Prevention Program on the Health Risk Indicators and Self-Care Compliance of Stroke Patients

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a secondary stroke prevention education program on the health risk indicators and self-care compliance of stroke patients. METHODS: A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used to select the participants. Subjects were 54 stroke patients (27 in the experimental group and 27 in the control group) hospitalized in a K university hospital in D city, Korea. Health risk indicators and self-care compliance were measured both for a baseline, as well as after intervention. The data was analyzed using a chi-square test, paired t-test and ANCOVA. RESULTS: There were significant differences in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, weight and self-care compliance. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that an educational secondary stroke prevention program is effective for health risk indicators and self-care compliance of patients. Therefore it can be used as an effective nursing intervention in clinical practice.