Predictors of stroke preventive practices among patients with hypertension at public hospitals in jimma town, Ethiopia, 2022.

Abstract

Background: Stroke is CVD which happens due to an acute, focal injury of the central nervous system (CNS) of a vascular origin, contributing to a local or systemic neurological insult. It is one of the most common categories of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and the second leading cause of death and disability in low- and middle-income countries. Effective stroke prevention efforts among most at-risk groups may be linked to an improved level of Health literacy (HL) related to CVD and stroke. However, there is limited evidence that measures stroke-related HL and examines its relationship with stroke preventive practices among patients with hypertension. Objective: This study assessed predictors of stroke preventive practices among patients with hypertension on chronic follow up at Shanan Gibe hospital and Jimma University Medical center. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed to recruit a total of 342 patients with hypertension who were on chronic follow-up at Shanan Gibe hospital and Jimma University Medical center. Systematic sampling was used and Data was collected from July 05 to August 04, 2022, by using a structured questionnaire adapted from similar literature. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 25 for windows. Multivariable linear regression modeling was performed to identify predictors of stroke preventive practices. A Multivariable regression coefficient (β) with 95% confidence interval and P-value less than 5% was considered to interpret a statistically significant association. Result: A total of 342 respondents were participated, of whom 179(52.3%) were males. A mean age of the respondent was 52.78 (±12.17) years. The proportions of participants scored above mean in health literacy and stroke preventive practice were 52% and 50.3% respectively. Factors associated with stroke preventive practice were ability to read and write(β=1.32, 95%CI: 0.25,2.38),attending primary Education(β=2.15, 95%CI: 1.37,2.92),secondary Education(β=2.78, 95%CI: 1.62,3.94), higher Education(β=3.32, 95%CI: 2.08,4.56),knowledge about stroke (β=0.20, 95%CI: 0.12,0.28),perceived susceptibility(β=0.32, 95%CI: 0.21,0.43),perceived barrier(β=-0.19, 95%CI:-0.29,-0.10)Self-efficacy(β=0.83, 95%CI: 0.60,1.06), Perceived social support (β=0.03, 95%CI: -0.11,0.07) , Functional health literacy(β=0.63, 95%CI: 0.22 ,1.04), communicative health literacy(β=0.59, 95%CI: 0.38,0.81), and critical health literacy(β=0.12, 95%CI: 0.03,0.19). Conclusion : The study revealed that around half of the respondents have health literacy and stroke prevent preventive above the mean score but still there is a gap in knowledge, communicative and critical literacy and some of preventive practices. Educational level, knowledge about stroke, perceived susceptibility, perceived barrier self efficacy, Perceived social support and stroke specific health literacy were predictors of stroke preventive practice.