Potential of recruiting high school student volunteers for stroke promotion campaigns

Abstract

Abstract Issue Stroke is the leading cause of death and permanent disability worldwide. Even though an effective treatment exists, the main issue in the Czech Republic and other countries remains low stroke symptoms awareness and correct response. The later a patient arrives to hospital the lower treatment effect is. Thus, continuous education of the population is needed. Description of the Problem Holding educational events demands capacities, but there are no health promoters in the Czech Republic and health professionals are overloaded. Therefore, our goal was to establish a voluntary group of young people for conducting stroke awareness campaigns. The question is, if the group of young volunteers is be able to conduct health promotion events. The key recruitment was done in 2015 among high school students, who previously passed our stroke educational program. Once the group was formed the Stroke Awareness Coordinator provided periodical training in health literacy and soft skills so the group is to provide the lay public with accurate information in the most effective way. Results The Stroke Ambassadors voluntary group has been formed in 2015 in St. Anne's University Hospital Brno and has 25 members nowadays. Over 5200 people were educated directly through 48 events organized or supported by the group between 2015-2019 (e.g. World Stroke Day, public lectures, children contests, school project days). Thanks to the events, new partnerships with municipalities and public health supporters were initiated. Lessons Volunteers are readily available to provide health promotion support. There is only a small additional cost related to education of volunteers. Students have easier access to schools to organize health events for their age group than adult health professionals. Key messages High school student volunteers are readily available to provide health promotion support. There is only a small additional cost related to education and motivation of volunteers.