Streptokinase and streptokinase card: questionnaire validation to evaluate knowledge among post‐STEMI patients in a Malaysian Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundAlthough recombinant tissue plasminogen activator has become the first‐line thrombolytic agent, streptokinase remains in use in acute ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients in Malaysian public hospitals. In a state hospital in Malaysia, all post‐STEMI patients given streptokinase are counselled and issued with a streptokinase card by pharmacists. Due to its highly antigenic nature, knowledge of streptokinase and the streptokinase card serve as an important alert to healthcare providers. This study aimed to develop a validated questionnaire on evaluating knowledge of streptokinase and streptokinase card among post‐STEMI patients.MethodsA Malay language questionnaire was developed based on literature review and standard streptokinase counselling checklist. The questionnaire consists of three parts: demographics, knowledge of streptokinase and understanding of streptokinase card. The content of the questionnaire was revised by eight experts (emergency specialists, physicians and pharmacists) and six patients were interviewed via telephone 2 weeks after being issued with a streptokinase card, to test for comprehensibility. Then, a telephone survey was conducted June‐December 2017 involving another 60 patients to test for construct validity and reliability.ResultsThe questionnaire was finalised by decreasing the overall number of items from 6 to 5 (Section B) and 6 to 4 (Section C). The overall measurement of sample adequacy (MSA) was 0.758. Bartlett's test was highly significant (<0.001). The Cronbach's alpha values for Sections B and C were 0.747 and 0.841, respectively.ConclusionOur nine‐item questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument to assess knowledge of streptokinase and the streptokinase card among Malaysian post‐STEMI patients.