Effectiveness of a Cultural Stroke Prevention Program in the United States-South Asian Health Awareness About Stroke (SAHAS).

Abstract

There are few stroke education programs focused on the South Asian population in the United States. The South Asian Health Awareness about Stroke (SAHAS) program was developed to provide culturally appropriate stroke education to South Asians from 2014 to 2017. Participants recruited for the SAHAS program were educated through a uniquely developed, culturally-specific, educational presentation. Each participant was asked to complete identical educational questionnaires both before (pre-) and after (post-) the intervention, which were then scored and evaluated. Overall, the 357 participants who completed the SAHAS program had a significant, modest 9% improvement in questionnaire score (p < 0.0001). After adjusting for confounders, those ≤ 60years had a 2.9-point greater increase in score than those > 60 (p < 0.0001). Having programs targeted and developed for specific minority groups with an emphasis on familial commitment and active participation may aid in raising awareness and reducing the elevated adverse stroke outcomes in South Asians.