Family Caregivers’ Perceptions regarding Stroke Prevention for Family Members at Risk

Abstract

This paper reports on the qualitative descriptive first phase of a participatory action research study, which aimed to develop a stroke prevention model for people at risk of stroke in a tertiary hospital. The study’s purpose was to explore caregivers’ perceptions of preventative behaviors for family members at risk of stroke. The qualitative data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews held with 36 primary caregivers living for at least one year with family members at risk of stroke risk people. All informants were recruited through purposive sampling. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using content analysis. The five emergent categories from the analysis were 1) struggle to modify behaviors, 2) lack of adequate knowledge about stroke prevention, 3) lack of awareness as being caregivers, 4) constraints of being caregivers, and 5) receiving unrealistic treatment regimens. These findings contribute to the need for interventions that enhance awareness and competency of the family caregiver, as well as promote the participation and collaboration of care among family caregivers and their family members, in addition, redesigning a stroke prevention service which appropriate with individual context.