Caring For Stroke Patients: Caregivers’ Knowledge And Practices

Research Article
Rahul B. Pandit., Mary Mathews and Shashikala Sangle
DOI: 
http://dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijrsr.2017.0806.0380
Subject: 
science
KeyWords: 
Cerebrovascular Accident patients, Knowledge, Practices, Stroke
Abstract: 

Stroke is a major public health problem worldwide. It is estimated that at present, approximately 1.8 million Indians out of a population of 1.2 billion suffer from stroke every year and about one-third of them die annually while another one-third are left with some permanent disability. The disability rate after discharge from the hospital can be effectively reduced by providing appropriate home care provided by caregivers1 . (Sujata Das et al, 2016). The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and practices of caregivers regarding caring for Cerebrovascular Accident patients. Methods: A descriptive research approach was used. The study comprised of 100 caregivers of stroke patients form a selected hospital who were willing to participate. Non probability convenience sampling technique was used. Formal permission was obtained from concerned authority for data collection. A structured questionnaire and observation checklist were used for data collection. Results: The results showed that most of the caregivers (51%) were from 41 – 60 years of age and majority (88%) was females. Maximum caregivers were spouses (52%) and no one had previous knowledge regarding caring for CVA patients. Majority of the Caregivers were having inadequate knowledge and practices regarding caring of CVA patients.. There was no significant association found between the findings with selected demographic variables among caregivers of Cerebrovascular Accident patients. Conclusion: The study showed that about 60.28% of caregivers did not have adequate knowledge of how to properly care for Cerebrovascular accident patients; in fact, a significant number of caregivers demonstrated insufficient and inappropriate knowledge and practices. It is assumed that provision of regular training will improve the knowledge and practices of the caregivers regarding care of Cerebrovascular Accident patients which would positively affect patient outcomes.