scholarly journals Low level of stroke care awareness among stroke patients’ caregivers: an important but neglected area of stroke care

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
N Sharma ◽  
M Sharma ◽  
M Lopchan ◽  
L Thapa ◽  
PVS Rana

Objective Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Stroke patients require longterm care for better outcome. Most often family members are the back bone of the service provided to people affected by stroke. Stroke patients and their caregivers are known to have large gaps in stroke knowledge and have suboptimal personal health behaviors, thereby putting the patient at high risk for complications. Our study was designed to explore the stroke care awareness among stroke patients' caregivers.Methods 50 stroke caregivers aged >18 years from neurology ward of College of Medical Sciences-Teaching Hospital were selected by non-probability purposive sampling from June 2012 to July 2012. Questionnaire focusing basic stroke care was prepared by researchers with the help of literature and a neurophysician. Validity and reliability of the tools were tested and data collected. Analysis of collected data was done using SPSS 16.0.Results The mean age of the respondents was 40 years (range: 20-80 years). Thirty-nine (78%) were either spouse or children. Thirty-eight (76%) caregivers were literate. Overall, 27 (54%) caregivers had low level of awareness regarding stroke care and mean knowledge score was 23.7.Conclusion This study has revealed the existence of low level of stroke care awareness amongst stroke caregivers. Interventional education program oriented to address this important yet neglected area can improve the stroke care in countries like Nepal where recent advancement for stroke management is lacking.  Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2013, Vol-9, No-3, 1-8 

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neda Dolatkhah ◽  
Seyed Kazem Shakouri ◽  
Azizeh Farshbaf Khalili ◽  
Majid Hajifaraji ◽  
Maryam Hashemian ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives : In this cross-sectional study among 220 medical students we aimed to determine the nutritional knowledge and attitude of medical students through clinical training courses (externship and internship) of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. A nutritional knowledge questionnaire included 51 questions was used to determine the correct, perceived and accuracy of knowledge of the participant in different aspects of nutrition sciences. Nutritional knowledge was calculated as percentage of correct responses. The nutrition attitude questionnaire included 30 questions. Both questionnaires were confirmed in terms of the validity and reliability for assessing nutritional knowledge and attitude in this sample of Iranian medical students. Results: The mean score of correct knowledge was not significantly different among externs and interns (68.20±7.50% and 67.87±6.04% respectively, p=0.729). Results showed that most of the participants (49.61% of externs and 57.14% of inters) had a poor nutritional knowledge, significantly varied by age (p=0.035). The mean attitude index of the subjects was not significantly different among externs and interns (106.37±13.66 and 108.16±13.35 out of 145 respectively, p=0.337). Most students (92.7%) had a very appropriate attitude toward nutrition, significantly varied by sex (p=0.010). These findings indicate that there are multiple deficiencies in nutrition knowledge of medical students.


Author(s):  
Raana Jafarizadeh ◽  
Somayeh Zeynizadeh-Jeddi ◽  
Akbar Pirzadeh ◽  
Mahzad Yousefian ◽  
Firouz Amani

Introduction: Quality of life (QOL) is an important index in society that need for evaluation in all age groups people especially in medical university students as a people that their physical and mental health is related with community health. This study aims to investigate the quality of life (QOL) of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that has been conducted on 200 students who selected by random sampling method from Ardabil medical university students. The QOL was measured by WHOQOL-BREF which its validity and Reliability were investigated and approved. This questionnaire include 26 questions in four dimensions (physical, mental, social and environmental health). Collected data we analyzed by statistical test such as t-test for compare the mean of QOL score among demographic data. Results: Of all students, 57% were male and 91.5% were single. Of all students, 56% had desired quality of life. The relationships between QOL and variables such as gender, educational level, marital status and age of students wasn’t significant. The mean difference of four dimension scores among two sexes was statistically significant. The mean of Physical health dimension score was 11.6±2.1, Psychological was 12.3±2.4, Social relationships was 13.1±3.4 and environment was 12.7±3.2. The mean of total score of QOL in all students was 12.4±2.3. Conclusion: Results showed that the QOL of all students were in high level and in four dimension of QOL the female students had significant higher score than male students.


2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 1861-1869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristaps Jurjāns ◽  
Iļja Noviks ◽  
Diāna Volčeka ◽  
Linda Zandersone ◽  
Kristīne Meilerte ◽  
...  

Objectives To determine the validity and reliability of a Latvian version of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (LV-NIHSS) for evaluating Latvian stroke patients. Methods The adaption of the LV-NIHSS followed standard methods used for the adaption and validation of clinical assessment tools. The scale validity was tested by comparison with the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and the modified Rankin scale (mRs). The reliability of the LV-NIHSS was evaluated by intra-rater and inter-rater agreement using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis. Results A total of 296 stroke patients and 101 control subjects were evaluated. The mean age of the overall study population was 73.6 years (range, 37 – 94 years; 227 [57.2%] were female). The mean LV-NIHSS score of the patients with stroke was 8.4 ± 6.2. In terms of construct validity of the LV-NIHSS, it correlated with the GCS ( r = −0.571) and mRs ( r = 0.755). In terms of the reliability of the LV-NIHSS, the inter-rater agreement had an ICC of 0.99 and the intra-rater agreement had an ICC of 0.99. Conclusion The adaption of LV-NIHSS was successful and the evaluation showed that the scale was valid and reliable for evaluating Latvian stroke patients.


Author(s):  
Farzaneh Ashrafi ◽  
Shahrzad Shahidi ◽  
Valiollah Mehrzad ◽  
Mojgan Mortazavi ◽  
Sayyideh Forough Hosseini

Background: One of the important causes of mortality and morbidity in kidney transplanted patients is Post Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease (PTLD), which is due to immunosuppression therapy and viral activity. It seems that Rapamycin, with dual antineoplastic and immunosuppressive effects, may have a pivotal role in the treatment of PTLD patients and preserving transplanted kidneys. Methods and Materials: Twenty patients with PTLD were enrolled.  Immunosuppressive therapy was reduced or ceased, and Rapamycin was initiated at the time of PTLD diagnosis. We evaluated the effects of switching immunosuppressive drugs to Rapamycin on graft status, the response of tumor, and 6, 12 months, and 5-year survival in patients. Results: PTLD remission was achieved in 14 patients, while six patients died; no relapse was detected in recovered patients. The median of PTLD free time was 25 months, and the mean overall survival in patients with PTLD treated by Rapamycin was 84.8 (95% CI=61.3-108.23).The five-year survival rate was 67%, 12 months survival was 73.8%, and six months' survival was 80%. The response rate to Rapamycin and immunosuppression reduction alone was 46.6%. Four out of 13 Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma patients achieved a complete response just only after the reduction of immunosuppressive drugs and the consumption of Rapamycin. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated the effectiveness of conversion from immunosuppressive medication, particularly of Calcineurin inhibitors to Rapamycin in PTLD patients. However, more research is needed to confirm the Rapamycin effect on patients with PTLD.  


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa Kasmaei ◽  
Esmaeil Fattahi ◽  
Roghaye Farhadi Hassankiadeh ◽  
Afshin Almasi ◽  
Arash Ziapour ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Spirituality and spiritual health are important concepts among human societies, and the relation of these concepts to other scientific ones is important for health professionals. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between spiritual well-being and happiness among the students of health sciences of Guilan University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This is a cross-sectional and descriptive-analytic study carried out among 322 students through census sampling method. The Spiritual Health Questionnaire (SWBS) was made by Pulotsin and Ellison in 1982 and used to measure spiritual well-being. Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHI) was used to measure happiness designed in 2007 by Argyle. Validity and reliability of two questionnaires are higher than 0.90. Cronbach's alpha in each dimension of spiritual well-being and also happiness in the present study was higher than 0.7. Results : The mean and standard deviation of spiritual health were 55.82±4.71 and the mean and standard deviation of students' happiness was 60.88+-12.9. There is no statistical correlation between spiritual health with any of the demographic variables. It means that the average spiritual health is not significantly different at different ages or between single students and married students. Conclusion: The results showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between spiritual well-being and happiness. Also, there is a meaningful relationship between all aspects of spiritual health with happiness. The findings of this research illustrate the happiness is reduced by increasing the average age.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neda Dolatkhah ◽  
Dawood Aghamohammadi ◽  
Azizeh Farshbaf Khalili ◽  
Majid Hajifaraji ◽  
Maryam Hashemian ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives : In this cross-sectional study among 220 medical students we aimed to determine the nutritional knowledge and attitude of medical students through clinical training courses (externship and internship) of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. A nutritional knowledge questionnaire included 51 questions was used to determine the correct, perceived and accuracy of knowledge of the participant in different aspects of nutrition sciences. Nutritional knowledge was calculated as percentage of correct responses. The nutrition attitude questionnaire included 30 questions. Both questionnaires were confirmed in terms of the validity and reliability for assessing nutritional knowledge and attitude in this sample of Iranian medical students. Results: The mean score of correct knowledge was not significantly different among externs and interns (68.20±7.50% and 67.87±6.04% respectively, p=0.729). Results showed that most of the participants (49.61% of externs and 57.14% of inters) had a poor nutritional knowledge, significantly varied by age (p=0.035). The mean attitude index of the subjects was not significantly different among externs and interns (106.37±13.66 and 108.16±13.35 out of 145 respectively, p=0.337). Most students (92.7%) had a very appropriate attitude toward nutrition, significantly varied by sex (p=0.010). These findings indicate that there are multiple deficiencies in nutrition knowledge of medical students.


Stroke ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah C Ramos ◽  
Cynthia Steffen ◽  
Sarah Gay ◽  
Julio Chalela

Background: Historically stroke patients receiving intravenous tPA are admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Providing post-tPA care in a non-ICU setting could result in cost reduction and allow allocation of ICU beds to other critically ill patients. We sought to determine if care can be provided safely and effectively for post-tPA patients in a Neuro Intermediate Unit (NIU). Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective case series study performed in a tertiary academic medical center with a comprehensive, accredited, stroke program. We analyzed ischemic stroke patients admitted to our NIU during a 24-month period. A standardized data collection form was used to abstract data from medical records. Results: During a 24-month period 104 patients were admitted for post-tPA stroke care. The sample is composed of 60 males and 44 females. The median age was 69.5 and the mean age was 67.96. The sample is composed of 72 (69%) White and 32 (31%) Black patients. The mean admission NIHSS was 9.32. The most common stroke risk factors were hypertension (76%), diabetes mellitus (25%), hyperlipidemia (51%), tobacco use (21%), atrial fibrillation (21%), prior stroke (26%), congestive heart failure (20%), and coronary artery disease (21%). Mean admission systolic blood pressure was 143.5 mm Hg. For blood pressure management, 18% of the patients received medication by intravenous push and 5.7% by continuous infusion to meet established goals. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage was seen in 1.9%, intracranial hemorrhage in 3.8%, and blood transfusions needed in 1.9%. Insulin drips were needed to control persistent hyperglycemia in 3.8%. Sepsis occurred in 0.96% patients. The rate of fatality was 3.8%. Excellent functional outcome as defined as Modified Rankin Score (mRS) less than 2 was seen in 46% of patients and minimal to no disability (mRS < 1 ) was seen in 35.6%. Conclusions: In this retrospective study, stroke patients receiving intravenous tPA admitted to an NIU had similar outcomes and complications to that described in previous data. Significant cost savings can be accomplished by admitting thrombolysis patients to an NIU without compromising patient safety. Specialized nursing care available in a stroke unit is a key component in improving patient outcome.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Jansen ◽  
John-Ih Lee ◽  
Bernd Turowski ◽  
Marius Kaschner ◽  
Julian Caspers ◽  
...  

Abstract Background COVID-19 pandemic caused a decline in stroke care in several countries. The objective was to describe lockdown stroke care in a tertiary stroke center in Düsseldorf, Germany near Heinsberg, a German hot spot for COVID-19 in spring 2020. Methods In a retrospective, observational, single-center study, we compared all patients treated in our emergency department (ED), patients seen by a neurologist in the ED, ED patients suffering from ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) as well as stroke patients admitted to our stroke unit during lockdown in spring 2020 (16 March 2020–12 April 2020) to those cared for during the same period in 2019 and lockdown light in fall 2020 (2 November – 29 November 2020). Results In spring 2020 lockdown the mean number of patients admitted to our ED dropped by 37.4%, seen by a neurologist by 35.6%, ED stroke patients by 19.2% and number of patients admitted to our stroke unit by 10% compared to the same period in 2019. In fall lockdown light 2020 effects were comparable but less pronounced. Thrombolysis rate was stable during spring and fall lockdown, however, endovascular treatment (EVT) rate declined by 58% in spring lockdown and by 51% in fall lockdown compared to the period in 2019. Conclusions Our study indicates a profound reduction of overall ED patients, neurological ED patients and EVT during COVID-19 pandemic caused lockdowns. Planning for pandemic scenarios should include access to effective emergency therapies.


Author(s):  
Narjes Akbari ◽  
Farshid Abedi ◽  
Zahra Shahabinia ◽  
Yahya Mohammady ◽  
Afagh Zarei ◽  
...  

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the satisfaction of professors with the short-term course of medical education at Birjand University of Medical Sciences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Initially, needs assessment was conducted for the content of the course; after determining the content, the course was held online through Adobe Connect system and offline through Navid system. Following completing the course, evaluation was performed, and finally, satisfaction with the course was assessed based on a 34-item questionnaire whose validity and reliability were established. In total, 44 participants in the course answered the questionnaire. The data were analyzed using t-test and correlation coefficient by SPSS, version 18. Results: The mean age of the participants was 36.34 ± 5.64 years, and 56.8% (25 people) were female. In terms of academic rank, 75% were assistant professors. The average score of satisfaction was equal to 140.48, which indicates a high score of satisfaction with the course. In general, the score of satisfaction was higher than average in all fields. The average score of satisfaction in men was significantly lower than in women (P < 0.001). There was no significant relationship between satisfaction and degree, academic rank, age, and working experience (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Professors’ satisfaction with the online and offline medical education courses in the relevant systems is at a high level. Thus, it is suggested that combined in-person and online empowerment courses should be held in the post-COVID-19 era.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Amit Kumar Singh ◽  
Robin Man Karmacharya ◽  
Satish Vaidya ◽  
Bala Ram Malla ◽  
Gakul Bhatt

Introduction: In late December 2019, COVID-19 was first seen in Wuhan, China which has been spreading to the whole world in subsequent months. Till the time this manuscript is written, COVID-19 has infected more than 2million people and killed more than 129843 people all around the world. First step in fighting against COVID-19 is to have appropriate knowledge and correct attitude and practices. Methods: This study was done to know the knowledge, attitude and practices on COVID-19 amongst medical students of Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS) using internet based structured questionnaires. The survey was conducted from April 2, 2020 to April 09, 2020 (one-week after lock down following COVID-19 spread in Nepal). Structured questionnaire was used by the Medical students of Kathmandu University Hospital. There were 19 questionnaires regarding Knowledge, three regarding Attitude and five regarding Practices. Results: Out of 631 responders, the mean correct Knowledge score was 83.4%. Of the 19 Knowledge questionnaires, the mean score was 15.8 (Range 0-19). Regarding the Attitude questionnaire, 81.7% responders had a positive attitude toward COVID-19 being controlled globally in near future. Majority of the responders wore masks when going out in recent days (96%) and 97.6% of responders didn’t go to crowded places during this period. Conclusion: Medical Students have good knowledge, optimistic attitude and appropriate preventive practices towards COVID-19. Better knowledge is associated with online or onsite training obtained about COVID-19 outbreaks. Optimistic Attitude and appropriate preventive practices was associated with better knowledge of the responders.


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