Problemas neurológicos

The Awareness of Stroke in Caregivers of Stroke Patients in Pakistan

Abstract

Saira Saad, Zaid Waqar, Fasihul Islam1, Humaira Iqbal and Ali Zohair Nomani

Aims and Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the caregiver’s knowledge regarding the symptoms of the stroke and their perception. We need to know about their perception before meeting any knowledge gaps. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was done at Fauji Foundation Hospital. The study’s duration was one year from March 2016 to February 2017. We enrolled total of 100 caregivers of consecutive stroke patients admitted in Medical Wards. A Stroke Patient was defined as a patient whose presenting complaints one of the predefined symptoms by National Institute of Neurological Disorder were lasting more than 24 hours with no apparent cause other than of vascular origin. The Care giver was defined as the person who was present next to the patient at the time of the event. The second part consists of an open-ended question about caregiver’s perception of stroke patient. When the answer to the question was stroke it was defined as correct response, rest of the answers were taken as incorrect response. Results: Out of 100 patients 32 (32%) were illiterate. The literate group was divided into three groups as follows; under matriculation (26), till matriculation (23), graduate and above (09). 11% of caregivers used the term stroke. In logistic regression, education plays a significant role on the correct diagnosis of stroke disease with coefficient of education 1.124 with p value=0.004 which is significant at 5% level of significance. Conclusion: Given the fact that in our region the average age of stroke is 10 years younger we need on emergency basis the required community outreach programs.