Impact of Media on Community Awareness of Stroke Warning Signs: A Comparison Study

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.

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 84%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Morimoto

Miyamatsu

Okamura³

et al. 2013

“…4,6 However, few controlled studies have evaluated the effects of community education by television on knowledge about the early symptoms of stroke. 7 Furthermore, to our knowledge, there is no community education by television for stroke in Asian countries, where mortality due to stroke is high. 9 The purpose of this study was to verify that television campaign could improve knowledge about early symptoms of stroke.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Public Education by Television on Knowledge of Early Stroke Symptoms Among a Japanese Population Aged 40 to 74 Years

Miyamatsu

Kimura

Okamura

et al. 2012

Background and Purpose-An educational campaign by mass media has been associated with great increases in the knowledge about early symptoms of stroke. However, few studies were conducted with a controlled community intervention study. Methods-To clarify the effects of a 1-year television campaign for the whole population on improvement of knowledge about stroke symptoms in 2 cities, a campaign area and a control area in Japan were selected. Before and after the campaign, 1960 randomly selected residents aged 40 to 74 years answered a telephone survey regarding knowledge of early stroke symptoms. We calculated the percentage and 95% CIs of participants who correctly chose all 5 early symptoms of stroke in each area and in each year. Results-Before the campaign, 53% of participants (95% CI, 50%-55%) in the campaign area and 46% (95% CI, 44%-49%) in the control area correctly chose 5 early symptoms. After the 1-year television campaign, knowledge was significantly improved only in the campaign area (campaign area, 63%; 95% CI, 60%-66%; control area, 51%; 95% CI, 48%-54%). After sex stratification, only women showed improved knowledge of early symptoms. The audience rate for the campaign television programs was found to be higher in women than in men. Conclusions-A 1-year stroke educational television campaign effectively improved knowledge about early stroke symptoms among Japanese women aged 40 to 74 years. No impact was found among men in this age group. Future studies should examine the impact of this approach on stroke knowledge among younger individuals and whether there are any behavioral changes that contribute to earlier presentation for treatment. (Stroke. 2012;43:545-549.)

“…Our approach contrasts with the majority of studies in the field that opted for expensive media campaigns targeted to the general public. 1,2,5-8 Fogle et al 5 showed statistical significance in increasing public knowledge of warning signs and the need to activate by telephone the prehospital stroke pathway. However, statistical significance was not verified in the intention to actually call 911 when witnessing a potential stroke.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, statistical significance was not verified in the intention to actually call 911 when witnessing a potential stroke. 3,5 Furthermore, several studies conclude that the continuity of exposure to the campaigns is essential to avoid knowledge decay. 1,3 This study has several limitations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Freeze the Stroke

Cruz

Araújo²,

Alves³

et al. 2012

Background and Purpose-The capacity of the general population to identify stroke signs is a major determinant for success of prehospital emergency pathways. Previous educational strategies using the media were usually short-lived and expensive. Tailoring information programs for special subgroups like acute stroke relatives may improve this situation. Methods-A poster was assembled that included a list of stroke signs and instructions to call 911. Consecutive admissions to the stroke unit were randomized. Intervention consisted of an educational session with relatives, in which a nurse delivered 5 posters and asked for their placement on the freezer door at the kitchen of the patient's house and each of 4 neighboring houses. One month later, a questionnaire was administered to both groups. Results-Sixty admissions were randomized (30 interventions), and 150 posters were distributed. One month after discharge, response rates were 81% for intervention group and 48% for control group. In the intervention arm, 64.5% had all the 4 answers correct, and 74.2% identified all first signs of stroke. For the control group, these values were 8% and 20%, respectively (PϽ0.001). Conclusions-This stroke unit-based information strategy improved awareness of relatives and neighbors when compared with the usual discharge plan. The program avoids the media and explores regional health care structure and family and social organizations, and it targets a subgroup keen to receive and spread information. The low cost, ease of use, and duration of the stimulus facilitate further testing and evaluation of impact on hospital presentation and thrombolytic treatment rates. (Stroke. 2012;43:2510-2512.)