Impact of stroke knowledge, fear of recurrence on health behavior in patients with ischemic stroke

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the following: knowledge of stroke, fear of recurrence and health behaviors among patients with ischemic stroke. Further, factors influencing health behavior will be described. Methods: Data were collected from 180 patients with ischemic stroke at a general hospital. The study instruments included items about general and health related characteristics, a Stroke Knowledge Scale, a Stroke Fear of Recurrence Scale, and a Health Behavior Scale. Hierarchical regression method was conducted to examine predictors of health behavior. Results: The mean age of the participants was 63.62±11.10 years, and 57.8% of the sample was men. The mean score for stroke knowledge (possible range=0~17) was 14.99±1.76, the mean score for fear of recurrence (possible range=0~32) was 23.16±3.75, and the mean score for health behavior (possible range=20~80) was 54.69±6.46. Stroke knowledge and fear of recurrence were associated with health behavior in patients with ischemic stroke (F=9.98, p < .001, Adjusted R²=.43). Conclusion: The results demonstrated that stroke knowledge and fear of recurrence impacts the health behavior among patients with ischemic stroke. Thus, nursing interventions which focused on fear of recurrence as well as enhancing stroke knowledge could help health behavior in patients with ischemic stroke.