Impact of information resources on knowledge about risk factors for stroke in hypertensive patients

Abstract

This study aims to describe the influence of information sources on knowledge of stroke risk factors in hypertensive patients at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, a cross-sectional descriptive study with 170 adults diagnosed with hypertension and no previous history of stroke was conducted. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews based on a set of prepared questionnaires. The results showed that the rate of knowledge about stroke risk factors was 29.4%. The most  identified stroke risk factor was hypertension (75.9%). The least identified risk factor was chronic kidney disease, accounting for 8.2%. The majority of subjects used information from the experiences of people who were ill (63.5%), the Internet was the lowest (4.7%). Sources of information affecting knowledge gained about stroke risk factors are books, newspapers, and family and friends (p < 0.05). Therefore, medical staff need to choose appropriate and effective information sources to improve knowledge about stroke for the community, especially those at high risk. From there, subjects can prevent stroke through targeted adjustment of a single risk factor or a group of multiple risk factors to prevent new and recurrent stroke.