TITLE:
Awareness Regarding Stroke among the Caregivers of Stroke Survivors at a Tertiary Level Hospital in Bangladesh
AUTHORS:
Kaniz Fatema, Sifat Parveen Sheikh
KEYWORDS:
Stroke, Caregivers, Awareness, Knowledge, Bangladesh, LMICs
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.10 No.6,
June
27,
2023
ABSTRACT: Given the anticipated increase in the burden of stroke in the coming years, and the limited availability of organized stroke care services in Bangladesh, it is important to assess the awareness among caregivers and design stroke prevention strategies based on social-familial factors. Collaborative action with caregiver engagement can minimize the burden of stroke. This study was conducted based on a conceptual framework to assess the knowledge related to stroke among caregivers of stroke patients. A cross-sectional quantitative study was carried out at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital, Bangladesh, from 25th April to 24th October 2016. Purposive sampling was conducted, and a sample size of 105 was obtained. Sociodemographic data from stroke patients and information related to awareness about stroke among caregivers were collected using validated forms and questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the SPSS Version 24 software. Among the caregivers, 72.5% knew that stroke is a brain disease. All respondents knew that weakness on one side is a clinical manifestation and that hypertension is a primary risk factor for stroke. Around 82% of respondents knew that bed sores are an important complication of stroke. A third of respondents knew that the optimal time for hospitalization of stroke patients is within three hours. Moreover, it was found that 88% of the respondents mentioned drugs as the most important treatment modality for stroke. The present study demonstrates reasonable knowledge among caregivers of stroke. Education provided to caregivers may reduce the risk factors for stroke and complications, which can be a low-cost and effective strategy to minimize the burden of stroke in Bangladesh.