Efficacy of Focused Stroke Education on Knowledge about Early Identification of Stroke among Grass-Root Health Workers in Urban Primary Health Centres of Rishikesh: A Pre-Experimental Study

Abstract

Background: Stroke is a major global public health problem. Among noncommunicable diseases, stroke is the second-most frequent cause of death and the third-most frequent cause of disability worldwide. So, it is important to create awareness among grass-root health workers (GRHWs). Aims: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of focused stroke education on knowledge about early identification of stroke among GRHWs in urban primary health centers of Rishikesh. Methods: A pre-experimental study was conducted among 68 GRHWs in urban primary health centers of Rishikesh, who were recruited through a total enumerative sampling technique. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire, followed by the administration of focused stroke education. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The mean age of participants was found to be 42.32 ± 8.39 years. The mean posttest knowledge score (19.62 ± 2.23) was apparently higher than the mean pretest knowledge score (13.90 ± 3.43). Participants’ knowledge was found to be less in the area of “Meaning and Definition of stroke” (1.26 ± 0.84) before intervention. However, after intervention, there was a significant increase in mean scores in all areas. The “Diagnosis and Treatment” domain had a maximum mean score (6.06 ± 1.47). There was no significant association between selected sociodemographic variables and the level of knowledge of participants. Conclusion: The study concluded that focused stroke education was effective in improving the level of knowledge regarding early identification of stroke among GRHWs.