title: Educational campaigns at point of purchase in rural supermarkets improve stroke knowledge.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The number of elderly people is dramatically increasing, and this trend is especially pronounced in rural populations. The aim of the present study was to verify the effectiveness of stroke education in a rural area.
  
  
  METHODS
  The stroke educational flyers were distributed for 3 weeks at the point of purchase within supermarkets. Questionnaires were used to determine knowledge about stroke and appropriate emergent action on identifying stroke.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 882 people responded to the questionnaires before (n = 409) and 3 months after (n = 473) the campaign. Of these, 686 (77.8%) were aged 65 years or older. The percentages of correct answers for hemiplegia and one-sided numbness (P < .05 for both) and calling emergency medical services (EMS) on identifying stroke occurrence (P < .001) were higher after the campaign compared with those before the campaign. Of the respondents aged 65 years or older, the percentages of correct answers for numbness on one side and calling for EMS on identifying stroke were higher after the campaign (P < .05 and P < .001, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A simple point-of-purchase stroke campaign using educational flyers could meaningfully affect stroke knowledge among elderly persons in a rural community.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan. Electronic address: yinoue@fc.kuh.kumamoto-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Yasuteru
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Shoji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Honda
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Yukio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ando
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D020521:Stroke; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: FAST; Stroke enlightenment; education; rural area