Gender Difference in the Association Between Stroke Knowledge and Health Behavior Before the Onset of Stroke Among Chinese Hypertensive Patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Previous research has shown that men and women have different levels of stroke knowledge and differing health behaviors, which are important factors affecting blood pressure, as hypertension is a key risk factor for stroke occurrence. There has been little research on the effects of sex on the association between these 2 variables before the onset of stroke among Chinese hypertensive patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study and a convenience sampling method were used. 272 male and 118 female hypertensive stroke patients were recruited. Each patient completed the Stroke Knowledge Questionnaire and the Health Behavior Scale for stroke patients. RESULTS: Compared with female patients, male patients had greater stroke knowledge and worse prestroke health behavior. The Pearson correlation coefficient between stroke knowledge and prestroke health behavior was 0.149 and 0.223 in male and female participants, respectively, P < .05. The results of a multiple regression analysis showed that Chinese hypertensive stroke patients' prestroke health behavior was significantly influenced by sex and stroke knowledge. CONCLUSION: Chinese male and female hypertensive stroke patients had disparities in stroke knowledge and prestroke health behavior; moreover, the correlation between these 2 variables before experiencing a hypertensive stroke was different between men and women. Men with hypertension should be considered at a higher risk for an initial or recurrent stroke. Developing sex-specific intervention for primary or secondary stroke prevention in China is essential.

Association between chronic illness resources and health behaviors in hypertensive stroke patients at 6 months after discharge: a cross-sectional study

“…In the complex process of behaviors change, multiple factors were associated with health behaviors. As reported previously (22), we found that female patients displayed better health behaviors than male patients. The "traditional masculinity" that requires men to be more independent and resilient may be an important reason for this phenomenon (23).…”

“…The "traditional masculinity" that requires men to be more independent and resilient may be an important reason for this phenomenon (23). Additionally, the male-female differences in the division of labor and dietary habits also affected patients' health behaviors (22). Thus, health education content needs to be designed for stroke patients of different genders.…”

Ecological model of health behaviour of hypertensive stroke patients at the end of recovery period

“…Previous studies have also shown that gender and education level are important factors affecting health behaviour of stroke patients (Wan et al, 2014; Yuan et al, 2015). Li et al (2021) investigated gender differences in health behaviour among hypertensive Chinese patients and found that female patients showed better health behaviours than male counterparts for nutrition and smoking and alcohol abstinence/reduction. Another cross‐sectional study revealed greater adherence of female stroke patients to fruit and vegetable consumption than males (Lennon et al, 2021).…”

Feasibility and efficacy of a nurse practitioner-and pharmacist-led hypertension clinic

“…This allowed ample time to assess patients' knowledge about HTN, review and adjust medications, guide and support necessary lifestyle changes, set goals, examine and address barriers to adherence, and answer patient questions. Advanced practice providers are trained to individualize care to improve health behavior (Li et al, 2021). Much of the patient education was based on previous data showing that education provided by clinicians is essential to achieving targeted BP (Carter, 2018).…”