Factors Associated with Stroke Prevention Behaviors Among Hypertensive Patients in Maharaj District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province

Abstract

Stroke is a major global public health concern and a leading cause of mortality, particularly among older adults. It significantly affects quality of life and imposes economic burdens. Hypertension is the primary risk factor contributing to stroke incidence. This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to examine personal factors, knowledge, perception, social support, and stroke preventive behaviors among patients with hypertension. It also explored factors associated with these preventive behaviors in hypertensive patients residing in Maha Rat District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. A total of 380 hypertensive patients aged 35 years and above were selected using multi-stage sampling. The research instrument consisted of five-part questionnaires covering: personal factors, stroke knowledge, perception, social support, and preventive behaviors. The reliability of the instruments ranged from 0.73 to 0.76. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

The study found that participants had a high level of stroke knowledge (Mean = 9.82, SD = 0.72), overall perceived information (Mean = 3.75, SD = 0.36), and social support (Mean = 3.82, SD = 0.47), while stroke prevention behaviors were at a moderate level (Mean = 3.27, SD = 0.70). At the 0.05 significance level, knowledge, perception, and social support were significantly correlated with prevention behaviors among patients with hypertension. Correlations in descending order were: perceived benefits (r = 0.491, p-value < 0.001), cues to action (r = 0.407, p-value < 0.001), information from media (r = 0.371, p-value < 0.001), perceived barriers (r = 0.346, p-value < 0.001), information from family (r = 0.238, p-value < 0.001), perceived severity (r = 0.216, p-value < 0.001), perceived susceptibility (r = 0.212, p-value < 0.001), and information from healthcare personnel (r = 0.138, p-value < 0.001). Stroke knowledge showed a significant negative correlation with prevention behaviors (r = −0.109, p-value = 0.035).