A latent profile analysis of health behaviors among rural patients with ischemic stroke in China

Background Health behaviors are critical determinants of stroke recurrence risk and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with chronic diseases. For rural patients with ischemic stroke (IS) in China, understanding the heterogeneity of these behaviors is essential for developing targeted interventions to improve both behavioral adherence and subsequent quality of life. Methods This cross-sectional study used convenience sampling to recruit 378 rural patients with ischemic stroke from five hospitals in Liaoning Province, China. Data were collected using the Socio-demographic Questionnaire, Stroke Health Knowledge Scale, Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease 6-Item Scale, and Health Behaviors Scale for Stroke Patients. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted to identify behavioral subgroups, and multinomial logistic regression was used to examine correlates of profile membership. Results Three distinct health behavior profiles were identified: “Low Health Behaviors Group” (34.13%), “Medium Health Behaviors Group” (50.00%), and “High Health Behaviors Group” (15.87%). Male gender was associated with higher odds of belonging to the Low and Medium Health Behaviors Groups (both P 0.001); higher self-efficacy (OR = 0.29–0.34) and higher health knowledge (OR = 0.51–0.52) were associated with lower odds of belonging to unfavorable profiles (all P 0.001). Conclusion Health behaviors among rural Chinese IS survivors are heterogeneous. A majority (84%) exhibit suboptimal behavioral patterns, which are known correlates of higher stroke recurrence rates. The strong association of modifiable factors like self-efficacy and health knowledge with favorable profiles provides clear targets for secondary prevention interventions. Tailored strategies that address these factors are essential to mitigate stroke-related health disparities in this underserved population.