Association of Stroke Health Literacy with Stroke Risk Factors and Post- Stroke Depression

Callista Clairmont,* Jessica Frey, Amelia Adcock and Nicholas Koenig,* Department of Neurology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505

Field (Broad Category): Neuroscience (Health Sciences) 

Student’s Major: Spanish 

Previous studies have found a low prevalence of stroke health literacy in populations across the country, and stroke education is an important aspect of post-stroke care. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between stroke health literacy and modifiable stroke risk factors or post-stroke depression (PSD). This was a prospective cross-sectional survey study assessing stroke health literacy in 24 acute ischemic stroke patients. Patients with evidence of stroke were given questions from a modified version of the Stroke Knowledge Test. Patients were also screened for PSD with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17). Information such as age, gender, NIHSS, stroke etiology, trust in the health care system and health insurance was also collected. Data was analyzed with T-test and ANOVA. Patients with 3 or more stroke risk factors scored significantly higher on the health literacy exam (M= 63.6) compared to individuals with 2 or less stroke risk factors (M= 50, p=0.0095). Though there was a trend toward patients with HAMD >7 scoring higher on the literacy exam (M= 64.1 vs M = 58.6), this was not significant (p = 0.201). There was a trend toward low NIHSS with increased stroke health literacy (M=8.3 vs M=6.417) but this was not statistically significant (p=0.516). These results indicate that patients with fewer known stroke risk factors may have a poorer understanding of stroke. These results, along with the results obtained from ongoing data collection may help target populations that may benefit from additional stroke education. 

Funding: 

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: WVU's Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) & accompanying HONR 297-level course