Family Perspectives on Risk Factors for Stroke in the Community: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

Ischemic stroke is a major cerebrovascular disease that contributes significantly to disability and poses a global public health challenge. Although numerous studies have identified stroke risk factors, few have examined how families perceive the risk factors associated with stroke within their communities. This study aims to explore family perspectives regarding risk factors for stroke in the community. A qualitative descriptive design was employed. Twelve participants comprising ten family members of stroke patients and two stroke survivors included for data triangulation were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The analysis of family perspectives revealed three main themes and ten sub-themes: 1) history of pre-existing medical conditions, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus with hypertension, and hyperlipidemia with hypertension; 2) inadequate health prevention practices, including delayed medical treatment-seeking, irregular monitoring of blood pressure and cholesterol, and low adherence to prescribed medications; and 3) unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, including frequent consumption of high-fat foods, insufficient rest and sleep, smoking, and a lack of physical activity. This study provides new insights into how families perceive and respond to stroke risk factors, and how these perceptions influence prevention behaviors and decisions to seek healthcare services. Families perceive stroke risk as being closely linked to poorly managed chronic conditions, which are further exacerbated by unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. These findings highlight the strategic role of community nurses in implementing family-centered health promotion through health education, early risk identification, and family empowerment to strengthen stroke prevention efforts within the community.