Cerebrovascular Stroke Risk Factors and level of Knowledge among Community- dwelling Hypertensive Elderly

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant professor of Gerontological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University

2 Lecturer of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University

Abstract

worldwide. Older people are particularly prone to stroke and post-stroke complications due to
delayed treatment and lack of knowledge about the disease. Aim: to assess cerebrovascular stroke
risk factors and level of knowledge among community-dwelling hypertensive elderly. Research
questions: 1. What is the level of knowledge about cerebrovascular stroke among community
dwelling hypertensive elderly?. 2- What are the risk factors of cerebrovascular stroke among
community- dwelling hypertensive elderly?.3. What are the categories of cerebrovascular stroke
risk among community- dwelling hypertensive elderly?.4. What is the relationship between
cerebrovascular stroke knowledge level and demographic characteristics of community- dwelling
hypertensive elderly?. Design: descriptive correlational research design was utilized. Setting: four
family health centers in Cairo governorate. Sample: A purposive sample of 200 community
dwelling hypertensive elderly. Tools: 1- A CVS elderly knowledge questionnaire 2- CVS risk
assessment scale. 3- Mercury sphygmomanometer. Results: 51% of the elderly showed an
unsatisfactory level of CVS knowledge, while 23% of the elderly had a history of previous stroke;
moreover, 40% are at high risk of developing CVS. Conclusion: Based on the results, level of
knowledge among studied hypertensive elderly was unsatisfactory. Nearly half of elderly were at
high risk for cerebrovascular stroke, and more than half of the elderly were borderline. A
statistically significant positive correlation (p≤0.001) was found between the demographic data of
the elderly and general stroke knowledge. Recommendation: Raise elderly stroke knowledge
through a community-wide campaign; implement interventional studies for nursing management of
CVS. 

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