Prevalent Risk Factors, Awareness and Health Practices of the Post Hemorrhagic Stroke Patients

Background: Most common risk factors of stroke are modifiable ones such as hypertension, smoking, overweight, physical inactivity, diabetes mellitus, alcoholism etc as per literature. Objective: To assess retrospectively the awareness level of patient?s caregivers regarding prevalent risk factors of stroke and life style practices which may lead to the stroke incidence. Method: Patient caregivers (65) who were there with them during the hospital stay or attending the follow up clinic were included in the study. Structured interview schedule was used to collect data from patient?s caregivers. The interview schedule included questions regarding awareness about risk factors of Hemorrhagic stroke and life style practices of the patients. Results: Majority of the population had an average awareness level (61.5%) and only 6.2% had good awareness regarding the risk factors of hemorrhagic stroke. It also showed that half of the subjects had family as well as self-history of hypertension (49.5% and 53.85% respectively). While assessing the life style practices of the subjects, smoking, alcoholism, physical inactivity, overweight and stress were found to be the prevalent that may lead to the occurrence of hemorrhagic stroke. Conclusion: Awareness and good health practices regarding the risk factors of hemorrhagic stroke are of very importance in order to reduce the incidence of stroke and it is the best way to control the increasing incidence of hemorrhagic stroke.