ความเสี่ยงและอาการเตือนโรคหลอดเลือดสมองในผู้ป่วยโรคเรื้อรัง ตำบลแม่โป่ง อำเภอดอยสะเก็ด จังหวัดเชียงใหม่

Abstract

The objectives of this descriptive study were to examine the risk of stroke, the knowledge on its risk factors, and its warning signs, as well as to compare the knowledge between different risk groups. The sample group consisted of 239 patients receiving treatment at the hypertension and diabetes clinic, Ban Huay Boh Tong sub-district health promotional hospital, Maepong Sub-district, Doi Saket district, Chiang Mai Province. The data were collected by means of an interview, a questionnaire on risk factors and warning signs of stroke, and the color chart risk assessment form approved by the Ministry of Public Health. The analysis utilized descriptive statistics, independent T-test, and Chi-Square test. The results showed that a majority (70.3 percent) of the sample group were female. Of the sample group, 41.4 percent were hypertension, 8.8 percent were afflicted with diabetes, and the remaining display co-morbidity between hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia. Additionally, 5.9 percent smoke, 13 percent drank alcohol occasionally, 1.3 percent drank daily, 46 percent were overweight and obese, and 28 percent had experienced transient ischemic attack. The stroke risk assessment for the next ten years found no samples with hazardous risk level. Samples with very high, high, and medium risk levels were found in 0.4 percent, 1.3 percent, and 8.3 percent respectively. A majority (90 percent) of the samples had low risk. The sample group averages the score of 7.75 out of 12 (SD ± 3.65) or 64.58 percent for the stroke risk factor knowledge test, with the correct answer ratio per item at 32-83 percent. As for the stroke warning signs test, the group averages 4.14 out of 10 (SD ± 2.21) or 41.40 percent, with the correct answer ratio per item of 8-78 percent. No significant difference was found between the low risk groups and medium to high risk groups in their levels of knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs. The results demonstrate that regardless of risk level, the sample group exhibits low level of knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs. Even though a majority of the sample group have low risk of stroke, 28 percent of them have had transient ischemic attack. It is, therefore, necessary for those concerned to improve upon surveillance and education on stroke in order to provide an effective solution to the problem.