Effects of Intensive and Moderate Public Education on Knowledge of Early Stroke Symptoms Among a Japanese Population

Abstract

Background and Purpose— To assess the effects of intensive and moderate public education on knowledge of early stroke symptoms among a general Japanese population. Methods— Information on early stroke symptoms was distributed by leaflet 12× and by booklet twice in an intensive intervention area >22 months, and by leaflet and booklet once each in a moderate intervention area. No distribution occurred in the control area. Before and after the intervention, a mailed survey was conducted in the 3 areas. A total of 2734 individuals, aged 40 to 74 years, who did not select all 5 correct symptoms of stroke in the preintervention survey were eligible for our analysis. Results— The numbers of correct answers selected about stroke symptoms did not differ significantly among the 3 areas in the preintervention survey ( P =0.156). In the postintervention survey, the proportions of participants who selected sudden 1-sided numbness or weakness (94.2% in the intensive intervention area, 88.3% in the moderate intervention area, and 89.2% in the control area; P <0.001) and sudden severe headache (76.8%, 70.1%, and 70.4%, respectively; P <0.001) differed significantly among the 3 areas. After adjustment for confounding factors, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for correctly choosing all 5 symptoms were 1.35 (1.07–1.71) in the intensive intervention area and 0.96 (0.74–1.24) in the moderate intervention area compared with the control area. Conclusions— Our findings suggest that frequent distribution of leaflets and booklets significantly improved the short-term knowledge of community residents about early symptoms of stroke.

Basic life support by citizens in Kawasaki City, Japan – a descriptive epidemiological study of out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest patients

“…In addition to the need to increase knowledge regarding CPR, it is also important to spread knowledge regarding stroke. In Japan, surveys evaluating the knowledge of stroke have been actively undertaken . Upper elementary or junior high school students are educated, and the students then teach the material to their parents.…”

Effects of a Public Education Campaign on the Association Between Knowledge of Early Stroke Symptoms and Intention to Call an Ambulance at Stroke Onset: The Acquisition of Stroke Knowledge (ASK) Study

“…The ASK study was a nonrandomized, community intervention trial that aimed to evaluate the effects of public education about early stroke symptoms and the appropriate response to stroke onset in three Japanese cities: Akita, Shizuoka, and Kure. 18 , 19 Akita City was selected as an intensive intervention area, Kure City was selected as a moderate intervention area, and Shizuoka City was selected as the control area. A 3-month pre-intervention survey (April 2006 to June 2006) was followed by 22 months of community intervention (July 2006 to April 2008).…”

“…Of the 3926 individuals who responded to the post-intervention survey, 71 who did not complete the questionnaire by themselves or did not fill in the required data and 22 who chose all 10 items (including the 5 decoys) as early symptoms of stroke either in the pre- or post-intervention survey were excluded, in accordance with the same exclusion criteria used in a previous report. 18 Ultimately, 3833 individuals (1680 in the intensive intervention area, 1088 in the moderate intervention area, and 1065 in the control area) were eligible for the present analysis.…”

“…The community intervention was conducted by distribution of leaflets and booklets and by holding lectures. 18 The leaflets and booklets mentioned early stroke symptoms and the need for appropriate response to stroke onset every time a stroke is suspected. Leaflets and booklets were distributed to all homes in the intensive and moderate intervention areas for 2 years between pre- and post-intervention surveys.…”

“…The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of a 2-year educational campaign to improve the knowledge of early stroke symptoms among community residents in the Acquisition of Stroke Knowledge (ASK) study on the association between correct or incorrect knowledge of early stroke symptoms and intention to call an ambulance. 18 …”