Cognition and influencing factors of secondary prevention in patients with stroke 1 year after discharge in southwest of China: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract Background: The risk of recurrent stroke is very high in patients with ischemic stroke (IS), but the implementation of secondary prevention of IS has not been paid enough attention. In this study, we aimed to investigate the cognition and compliance status of secondary prevention in patients with IS in Western China and explore the factors affecting compliance with secondary prevention 1 year after discharge. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of ischemic stroke patients 1 year after discharge in western Southwest China by convenience sampling. The patients were divided compliant and noncompliant groups, and differences in factors affecting compliance with secondary prevention between the two groups were analyzed. Results: A total of 1,041 patients were followed up in our study. Nearly one third of patients did not perform secondary prevention according tothe guidelines, and animprovement in lifestyle was even less likely. Livingwith or without children did not significantly affect patient compliance (OR,1.11; 95% CI, 0.83–1.49; P=0.47). Furthermore, there was no difference in the prevalence of risk factors between patients with one or two of the three cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia) and those with all three. Conclusions: Patients with IS had low compliance with secondary prevention. There is a particular lack of emphasis on lifestyle improvement. Further interventions are needed to improve compliance with secondary prevention in patients with IS, especiallypatients with all of three cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia).