title: How effective are "community" stroke screening programs at improving stroke knowledge and prevention practices? Results of a 3-month follow-up study.
abstract: 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.
authors: Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, Calif., USA.
authors: Christi Diane
authors: CD
authors: DeLemos
authors: Richard Presley
authors: RP
authors: Atkinson
authors: Susan Louise
authors: SL
authors: Croopnick
authors: Deidre Alice
authors: DA
authors: Wentworth
authors: Paul Taylor
authors: PT
authors: Akins
mesh_terms: 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*