Stroke Prevention Knowledge and Prestroke Health Behaviors Among Hypertensive Stroke Patients in Mainland China

Abstract

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.

Effectiveness of Goal-Setting Telephone Follow-Up on Health Behaviors of Patients with Ischemic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Therefore, most patients lack professional instruction about secondary stroke prevention after discharge despite the fact that stroke patients' health behaviors often need to be improved. [15][16][17] Many studies suggest that telephone follow-up is an efficient, convenient, inexpensive, and time-saving approach for both patients and health professions. 43 In the present study, the telephone follow-up intervention was also very convenient for patients and resulted in better understanding of the risks for stroke recurrence and ways to improve health behaviors.…”

“…We also added 4 stroke-related subcategories (8 items) 15 : low-salt diet, smoking abstinence, unhealthy use of alcohol, BP checkup frequency, and medication adherence. This modified health behavior scale including 6 subcategories (25 items) was validated by 5 Chinese experts in nursing and medicine who specialize in stroke care.…”

“…14 In fact, stroke knowledge is positively related to healthy behaviors. [15][16][17] Previous studies have demonstrated that many stroke patients do not follow the recommended measures over the long-term 3 and exhibit suboptimal health behaviors, including inadequate physical activity, poor diet, alcohol consumption, and smoking. [16][17][18] Additionally, one third of stroke patients discontinue medications prescribed for secondary prevention.…”

“…[15][16][17] Previous studies have demonstrated that many stroke patients do not follow the recommended measures over the long-term 3 and exhibit suboptimal health behaviors, including inadequate physical activity, poor diet, alcohol consumption, and smoking. [16][17][18] Additionally, one third of stroke patients discontinue medications prescribed for secondary prevention. 19 Several studies have been conducted on transitional programs intended to improve secondary prevention, including telephone follow-up, 20 motivational interviewing, 21 and patient diaries.…”

Awareness of Cardiovascular Disease and Preventive Behaviors Among Overweight Immigrant Latinas

“…Other studies report weak or no associations between knowledge and positive health behaviors. 24,38,39 Although knowledge may not directly lead to behavior change, it is associated with self-regulation skills and abilities that influence engagement in self-management behaviors. 40 Social support is an important facilitator of both self-regulation and engagement in self-management behaviors.…”