Stroke knowledge of OPD patients in Srinagarind Hospital

Abstract

Background and objectives: Stroke is the second most common cause of death in Thailand and deters enormously the quality of life of survivors. People should know the signs and risk factors of stroke. This study aims to evaluate the level of knowledge of OPD patients about the signs, risk factors, and severity of stroke and to identify factors that may have impact on stroke knowledge.

Methods: This study was descriptive study, setting in Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand. A systematic sample, sample size calculation reveals 100 samples were out patients receiving care at the internal medicine outpatient department were surveyed with a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics included frequency, percentage, mean, SD, median, IQR and 95% CI.

Results: Response rate was 100%. Stroke knowledge regarding signs had a median score of 6 (IQR 3.75) out of 10. The most common sign was speech difficulty and hemiparathesia (72%). Stroke knowledge regarding risk factors had a median score of 9 (IQR 4) out of 13. The most common risk factor noted was lack of exercise (84%). Knowledge regarding time to hospital at 270 minutes was 51% (95%CI 41.35-60.58) and identified 1669 as the emergency number at 24% (95%CI 16.69-33.23). Mass media at 34% was the most common source of information for health education. Higher salary and education shows a trend for increase knowledge for stroke.

Conclusion: OPD patients have knowledge of signs and risk factors of stroke, but still lacked knowledge in the severity of stroke.

Keyword: Stroke knowledge, out patients