Disability of post-stroke patients in the context of self-care and self-nursing, taking into account their sex, place of residence and attitude towards rehabilitation

Abstract

Introduction. A stroke is considered a medical emergency. It is an occurrence of brain disorders lasting more than 24 hours. Survivors are likely to be permanently disabled in a variety of ways. It is for this reason that numerous measures have been taken to reduce the mortality and degree of disability of these patients. Rehabilitation is an integral and extremely important part of the treatment of people who suffered a stroke – both ischemic and hemorrhagic. It should be started as soon as possible, because how quickly and to what extent the patient recovers depends on it. Aim. The aim of the study was to analyze and evaluate the deficit of self-care and self-nursing of 100 post-stroke patients at the Department of Neurology with the Stroke Sub-department of the University Hospital in Zielona Góra. Material and methods. A self-study questionnaire was used prior to the study. Results. Among the subjects of the study, ischemic stroke was the most common (84%). Almost half of the subjects had a physical disability that limited their freedom of movement to a minor degree (47%). A significant degree of limitation was reported by 32% of the subjects. Statistical analysis showed a significant increase in the frequency of moderate pain reported by individuals after physical rehabilitation that restored their mobility – p<0.000001. The strength of the observed effect was moderate (Cramer’s V = 0.43, 95% CI (0.27; 0.56)). Keywords: disability, stroke, self-care, rehabilitation.