The Beautyshop Stroke Education Project: The Physician's Office Is an Accurate Source for Stroke Knowledge among African-American Women (P04.063)

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we looked at baseline source of knowledge and its impact on correct identification of risk factors (RF) and warning signs (WS) in a high-risk population. Background Knowledge of stroke RF and WS is poor in the high-risk population of African-Americans. Previous work demonstrated that by using a novel method of stroke education through beauty shops, African-American women gained knowledge of stroke RF but not WS. Design/Methods: Thirty African-American beauticians were educated about stroke WS and RF in 2 large urban areas in the US. The beauticians then educated African-American female clientele during appointments. Stroke knowledge was measured via pre- and post-assessment (6 weeks and 5 months) using surveys with open-ended questions. Source of knowledge was asked at baseline. Post-hoc multi-variable logistic regression adjusting for age, education, reported high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol was used to assess the impact of various knowledge sources on ability to correctly identify stroke RF and WS. Results: There were 383 completed baseline surveys. 41% knew 3 WS and 47% knew 3 RF. Family member or friend was the most common source of some stroke knowledge, 185 (48.3%), while 156 (40.7%) gained knowledge of stroke from a physician, and 148 (38.6%) from print media. Participants who obtained stroke knowledge from a physician had the highest odds of knowing 3 RF [OR 2.04 (95% CI: 1.30-3.20]. Similarly, with stroke WS, those educated by a physician had the highest odds of identifying 3 correct signs [OR 1.69 (CI: 1.08-2.64)]. Conclusions: In the Beautyshop Stroke Education Project, stroke knowledge was most likely obtained from family or friends. However, knowledge ascertained from a physician was most likely to impact the ability to correctly identify RF and WS. Additional efforts are needed to educate high-risk groups that may have limited physician access on stroke RF and WS. Disclosure: Dr. Natarajan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Khoury has nothing to disclose. Dr. Moomaw has nothing to disclose. Dr. Miller has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sailor-Smith has nothing to disclose. Dr. Frankel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kleindorfer has received personal compensation for activities with Genentech, Inc. and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as a speaker and participant on an advisory board.