title: A comparison of stroke risk factors between men and women with disabilities.
abstract: There are many adults with disabilities currently in the United States, yet little is known about how gender differences affect stroke risk factors in this population. This article presents a descriptive study that was designed to determine whether males and females living with disabilities differ in self-reported rates of stroke risk factors. Data were collected at conferences and meetings targeted for people living with disabilities. There were 146 participants; 54% were female; and the mean age was 58 years. The primary instrument was the Stroke Risk Screening tool. Stroke risk factors that differed significantly by gender include the incidence of hypertension (48% of men versus 32% of women), current smoking (30% men versus 4% women), history of heart disease (13% men versus 1% women), daily consumption of alcohol (10% men versus 1% women), and use of illicit drugs (10% men versus 0% women). Rehabilitation nurses should focus on earlier assessment of stroke risk factors and appropriate interventions, especially with men living with disabilities.
authors.affiliation: Villanova University College of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA. janice.hinkle@ndm.ox.ac.uk
authors.forename: Janice L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hinkle
authors.forename: Rosalind
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Revere
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications; D001294:Attitude to Health; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000150:complications; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D015994:Incidence; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D019145:Rehabilitation Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology