Perception of Stroke in Hypertensive Patients Makhamlom Sub-District, Suphan Buri Province

Abstract

This survey research aimed to study perception of cerebral arteriosclerosis in hypertensive patients at Makhamlom Sub-District, Suphan Buri Province. One hundred and fifty-eight samples were selected by an accidental sampling technique. Questionnaire was used for data collection which Cronbach’s Alpha 0.92. Data analysis used frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The results revealed that most of hypertensive patients were female, aged between 50-59 years, farmers, primary school graduated, average income ranged between 5,001-10,000 Baht per month, having 1-5 years of high blood pressure. The perception of the risk of stroke consisted of  having high blood pressure as the risk of stroke; perception of the severity of cerebral arteriosclerosis with a chance of pressure sores and limb contractures for stroke patients who cannot help themselves and sleeping in bed for a long time; perception of benefits from stroke prevention by  physical exercise, 30 minutes exercise a day and 3 days a week to prevent stroke; and the perceived barriers to prevent stroke with annual health check-ups causing anxiety about the disease condition. Moreover, hypertensive participants perceived high susceptibility and severity to stroke.