Comprehensive Stroke Education Program (CSEP) on Knowledge and Quality of Life among Patients with Stroke and Burden among Caregivers

Abstract

Stroke is a global health problem. Rehabilitation is a major part of patient care. The statistics on Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) quoted by world health organization projects that nearly 15 million people suffer from stroke worldwide each year. Of these, 5 million die and another 5 million are permanently disabled. High blood pressure contributes to more than 12.7 million strokes worldwide. Study objectives were to determine the effectiveness of CSEP on knowledge and Quality of Life (QoL) among patients with stroke and to evaluate the effectiveness of CSEP on knowledge and burden among caregivers. This study was conducted at Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre (SRMC), Chennai-600 116. It is a 1675 bedded multi-specialty hospital. The pretest was conducted in neurology wards and the posttest was conducted at neurology OPD. Permission obtained from ethical committee. Randomized controlled trial research method was adopted. Sample size was 170 dyads (patient+caregiver) in those 85 dyads in each group were recruited by lottery method. Following pretest, CSEP was implemented to the study group dyads. Posttests were taken on 30th day, 90th day and 180th day at neurology OPD for both the groups. Comparison of mean scores of knowledge on stroke between the study and control group showed the level of knowledge found to be high among study group patients at p<0.001. The mean scores of ADL in the study group was statistically significant at p<0.05 level. The mean scores of Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) showed statistically significant at p<0.05. Overall mean scores of Stroke Specific Quality of Life (SSQOL) in the study group were found to be significant at p<0.01. Study group caregiver’s knowledge on stroke was statistically significant at p<0.01. The burden mean scores were higher among control group than the study group caregiver.