How effective are "community" stroke screening programs at improving stroke knowledge and prevention practices? Results of a 3-month follow-up study.
OBJECTIVE
Community stroke screening is a commonly used prevention strategy to identify and educate those at risk. Although the goal of this approach is to reduce the overall occurrence of stroke, its long-term benefit remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether attendance of a stroke screening changes knowledge or prevention practices in persons at risk for stroke 3 months later.


METHODS
A stroke screening event was held following the National Stroke Association guidelines, with health screening, counseling, and education. Knowledge about stroke was measured by a questionnaire before and after the event. At 3 months, attendees identified at risk for stroke were contacted by telephone to determine their retained knowledge and any specific actions taken as a result of the health counseling.


RESULTS
At 3 months, 78 persons were contacted. Knowledge of stroke warning signs increased from 59% to 94% after screening but decreased to 77% at 3 months. At 3 months, 73% had done nothing to change their health practices.


CONCLUSIONS
Community stroke screening has modest effects on health behavior, knowledge of stroke risk factors, and warning signs.
DeLemos
Christi Diane
CD
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, Calif., USA.
Atkinson
Richard Presley
RP
Croopnick
Susan Louise
SL
Wentworth
Deidre Alice
DA
Akins
Paul Taylor
PT
D002140:California; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control*