Efficacy of Stroke Empowerment Program on Stroke Knowledge among Caregivers with Stroke Survivors

Abstract

Background: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, are the leading cause of mortality in the world. This invisible epidemic is an under-appreciated cause of poverty and hinders the economic development of many countries. The burden is growing − the number of people, families, and communities afflicted is increasing. Aim: To determine the efficacy of the stroke empowerment program (SEP) on knowledge among caregivers of patients with stroke. To associate the knowledge of stroke with the demographic variables of caregivers. Methods: A quantitative research method was adopted. Caregivers of patients with stroke who fulfill eligibility criteria were chosen. The sample size was 85 caregivers in the study, and 85 caregivers in the control groups were recruited by the lottery method. SEP was implemented for the study group caregivers. The posttest assessments were taken on the 30th, 90th, and 180th days for both groups. Results: The comparison of knowledge on stroke between the study and control group caregivers during the pretest, the mean scores were 6.35 in the study group and 6.89 in the control group, and statistically, there was no significant difference in the pretest. The posttest knowledge mean score was 11.46, 11.68, and 11.52 in the study group and 7.42, 7.58, and 7.48 in the control group during posttests I, II, and III, respectively. The mean score was higher in the study group than the control group caregivers during posttests and was statistically significant at the P < 0.01 level. Conclusion: Findings concluded that the combination of interventions like structured teaching, an information booklet on “Life after stroke,” telephonic reminders, and reinforcement has a positive impact on stroke knowledge among caregivers of stroke survivors.