Effect of community health education on pre-hospital delay and clinical outcomes of hospitalized patients with acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of community health education on pre-hospital delay and clinical outcomes of hospitalization of the patients with acute myocardial infarction. Methods Community health education for the adults living near the Linyi People's Hospital was conducted from July 1st to October 30th, 2012. ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction identified 1 year prior to or during the health education program was used as control (n=81) or study group (n=89), respectively. Delay from the onset of ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction symptoms to hospital admission, the rate of reperfusion therapy, the in-hospital malignant complications and the death rate were compared between the two groups. Student's t test, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact probability test and the Wilcoxon rank sum test were used for data analysis. Results Median pre-hospital delay was 80 (47-150) min in the study group, less than 90 (60-255) min of the control group (Wilcoxon W=6 912.00, Z=-2.182, P=0.029). The rate of reperfusion therapy was 54% in the study group, higher than 38% of the control group (χ2=4.181, P=0.041). The overall incidence of severe complications during hospitalization was 24% in the study group, less than 42% in the control group (χ2=6.732, P=0.009). Conclusion Community health education could decrease pre-hospital delay for acute myocardial infarction, improve the rate of reperfusion therapy and decrease the overall incidence of severe complications during hospitalization. Key words: Myocardial infarction; Reperfusion; Community health services; Health education; Pre-hospital delay