Recognition and response to stroke
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Date
2018
Authors
O'Connell, Elizabeth
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University College Cork
Published Version
Abstract
Aim: To investigate recognition and response to stroke and associated factors. Background: Early recognition of symptoms and immediate response by contacting the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is neccessary to ensure timely access to treatment of stroke (O’ Connell and Hartigan, 2011, Mellon, 2015). Research which investigate how individuals respond to specific symptoms of stroke provides information on behavioral intentions (Mikulik et al., 2009, Magin et al., 2015, Caruso et al., 2015 and Denti et al., 2015). This has the potential to inform stroke public awareness campaigns. Design: A non- experimental, descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional design was used. Instrument: A researcher developed questionnaire was designed to collect data on demographic profile, previous experience of stroke, knowledge of risk factors, recognition of stroke symptoms, awareness of treatment available and the ability to identify what the letters of the FAST acronym represent. The Stroke Action Test (STAT) (Billings- Gagliardi and Mazor, 2005) was used to investigate how participants would respond to specific symptoms of stroke. Sample: A convenience sample (n=243) included older people attending an outpatients Clinic (OPD) in a large teaching hospital in the South of Ireland and employees of a manufacturing plant and a third level college also in the South of Ireland. A mixed method of data collection was used. The older people attend the OPD (n=89) completed a researcher administered hard copy of the questionnaire. The employees of the manufacturing plant and third level college (n=154) completing an on- line version of the questionnaire. Findings: Results identified that 41% of participants recognised all six stroke symptoms as defined by the American Heart and Stroke Association. The symptom most frequently recognised by participants was numbness of the face, arm and leg (97%). The mean STAT score for participants was 9 which indicated that the majority of participants would respond appropriately (by contacting EMS) to 9 out of a total of 21 items describing stroke in the STAT. Multivariate analysis identified that having previously had a stroke and knowledge of risk factors for stroke were significantly associated with recognition of stroke symptoms. Participants were most likely to respond to items which described classic stroke symptoms such as limb weakness and difficulty speaking. In addition, multivariate analysis identified that female gender, second/third level of education, having a family member who experienced stroke and having heard of thrombectomy were predictors of appropriate response to stroke. Conclusion Awareness of treatment available for stroke is a predictor of appropriate response to stroke. Future stroke awareness campaigns should include information on the availability, benefits and timelines for treatment of stroke to help individuals who experience stroke overcome the barriers to appropriate response.
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Keywords
Stroke symptoms , Stroke risk factors , Response to stroke symptoms , Stroke action test , Treatment of stroke
Citation
O'Connell, E. A. 2018. Recognition and response to stroke. PhD Thesis, University College Cork.