Stroke prevention knowledge and prestroke health behaviors among hypertensive stroke patients in mainland China.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Individuals with hypertension are at risk of stroke, and patients with stroke histories are at risk of experiencing another stroke. At this time, however, only a few studies have reported on stroke prevention knowledge and health behaviors among hypertensive patients who have had an initial stroke. The purpose of this study was to determine stroke prevention knowledge and health behaviors and to analyze the association between these 2 variables among hypertensive stroke patients who have had an initial stroke. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: With the use of a descriptive correlational design, a sample of 112 hypertensive stroke patients was recruited from the departments of neurology of 3 hospitals in Guangzhou, China. Each patient completed 2 reliable, validated questionnaires, the Stroke Prevention Knowledge Questionnaire and the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. Data were collected during patients' hospital admission for stroke, within 2 days of stroke onset, and before they received stroke education. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to examine the correlations between the study variables. Multiple stepwise regression analysis was used to predict both the level of knowledge relating to stroke prevention and health behaviors. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The participants showed a relatively low level of stroke prevention knowledge and a moderate level of engagement in healthy behaviors. Pearson correlation coefficient between these 2 variables was 0.423 (P < .001). The results of multiple regression analysis showed that stroke prevention knowledge was positively influenced by education level; health behaviors were positively influenced by both gender and stroke prevention knowledge. Findings suggest that male hypertensive patients and those with a lower education level need targeted stroke education. Because knowledge was unrelated to behavior with respect to smoking, alcohol use, and low-salt diet, behavioral interventions should be explored to address these important risk factors among patients at risk for stroke.