The Effectiveness of Waiting Room Posters for Stroke Education

The Effectiveness of Waiting Room Posters in Improving Awareness and Knowledge of the Signs and Symptoms of Stroke

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of posters in improving patient awareness and knowledge of the signs and symptoms of stroke. The control group study will be conducted in the first two weeks. Subsequently, the intervention arm will occur in the subsequent two weeks.

Stroke is a major health problem and a known cause of death and disability worldwide. In Malaysia, stroke is known to be top five causes of death and top ten causes of hospitalization Malaysia. Ischemic stroke accounts for more than 95% of all stroke cases (1). A recent study done in Malaysia showed that only 26% of patients with stroke symptoms presented to the hospital within 3 hours. One of the reasons was patients did not perceive the symptoms of stroke as being that of a serious illness (2). One of the modalities to raise awareness of stroke is through an educational poster. Posters in the waiting room can increase awareness of health promotion issues (3). Therefore, by placing poster regarding sign and symptoms of stroke in the waiting room in a government clinic, can increase awareness of early presentation of stroke.

During the second half of the study (two weeks), there will be an education poster in the waiting room of the clinic, fashioned after the Face, Arms, Speech, Time (FAST) poster developed by the American Heart Association (AHA), but in Malay.

The poster includes the FAST symptoms but translated to the Malay language (Ce.P.A.T) Cakap tak jelas (slurred speech - Speech slurring) Perubahan muka (face changes - Face drooping) Anggota lemah (weak limbs - Arm weakness) Terus ke Hospital (straight to the hospital - Time to call 911

Participants awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke as assessed by a questionnaire. For the symptoms, patients are scored from 0-7, according to each correct answer given. For the action taken, and the time frame, a score of either 0 or 1 is given, 1 being the right answer given. A higher score would indicate a better awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke.

Knowledge of the need for a quick transfer to the hospital as assessed by a questionnaire. For the symptoms, patients are scored from 0-7, according to each correct answer given. For the action taken, and the time frame, a score of either 0 or 1 is given, 1 being the right answer given. A higher score would indicate a better awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke.

Inclusion Criteria: Adult age more than 18 years old and above Able to understand Malay Able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: None

Cheah WK, Hor CP, Zariah AA, Looi I. A Review of Stroke Research in Malaysia from 2000 - 2014. Med J Malaysia. 2016 Jun;71(Suppl 1):58-69.

Factors associated with delay in seeking treatment by patients with acute stroke: The National Neurology Registry (NNeuR) of Malaysia . Malinee Neelamegam1, Sharad Malavade1, Irene Looi2, Norsima Nazifah Sidek3, Zariah Abdul Aziz3. 2014

Ward K, Hawthorne K. Do patients read health promotion posters in the waiting room? A study in one general practice. Br J Gen Pract. 1994 Dec;44(389):583-5.