A qualitative study: The perception regarding risk factor of stroke in stroke patients

by

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER # 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Problem Statement2

Purpose of the study3

Aim and objective of the Study3

Scope of the Study3

CHAPTER # 2: LITERATURE REVIEW5

Stroke Prevention Program6

Risk Factors7

Awareness of Stroke9

Compliance and Health Screen11

CHAPTER # 3: METHODOLOGY13

Research approach13

Sampling Strategies13

Data collection14

Data Analysis14

Ethical Consideration15

REFERENCES16

CHAPTER # 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The last few decades have shown increased attention being given to health promotion and disease prevention. Stroke has a high prevalence within the community, and is the third leading cause of death and disability in the United Kingdom today (Leibson et al 2002 2348). The economic and physical costs of stroke can be overwhelming to the stroke patient. The consequences of stroke can lead to major detriments in personal health and well-being. Stroke prevention through control of risk factors and acquisition of knowledge can have a significant effect on improving and maintaining health (Leibson et al 2002 2348). Many risk factors of disease can be effectively controlled and modified by the willingness of patients to comply with recommendations given to them by health care providers.

Stroke is one of the most common conditions present within the world. A cerebrovascular accident (CVA), also called a stroke or brain attack, is an impairment of cerebral blood flow in one or more of the blood vessels supplying the tissues of the brain. The area of the brain involved indicates the type of impairments the patient will have. The most common signs and symptoms of stroke are weakness on one side of the body, numbness, and speech abnormalities (Dawn at al 2009 25). There are many predisposing risk factors that contribute to a stroke. Risk factors are separated into two categories, modifiable and non-modifiable. Non-modifiable risk factors are those the patient cannot control or change. These risk factors include age, gender, heredity, race, and ethnicity (Doland et al 2002 113). Modifiable risk factors can be controlled or prevented by the patient. These risk factors consist of hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, alcohol consumption, and transient ischemic attacks (Johnston et al 2003 1429).

Problem Statement

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability. Stroke can be prevented by increasing knowledge of stroke warning signs and by decreasing the incidence of risk factors. It is important to determine if patient education has an effect on risk factor behaviour and to determine if stroke impact can be lessened by seeking immediate medical attention at the first onset of symptoms.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death after ischemic heart disease and cancer, not only in developed countries, but worldwide (Murray & Lopez, 1997 1269). Stroke is the blockage or rupture of brain cells which is due to lack oxygen to the brain and it causes brain damage and leads to abnormal function (Kleindorfer et al 2006 2473). During the last 15 years, there have been many improvements in stroke prevention strategies, including a variety of new medications and surgical procedures for controlling stroke risk factors and preventing ...