Authors (including presenting author) :
Karin Chow (1), Raymond Leung (1), Sammi Law (1), Nick Choi (1), TMH PRC (2)
Affiliation :
(1) Acute Stroke Unit, NTWC Comprehensive Stroke Centre, (2) TMH Patient Relation Centre
Introduction :
Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with early medical intervention being critical to improving patient outcomes. However, many stroke patients delay seeking treatment, contributing to poor prognoses. Tuen Mun Hospital stroke team data indicates that in 2014, only 21.8% of stroke patients sought care within three hours of symptom onset. From 2017 to 2018, this figure rose to 31.5% for those arriving at emergency departments within six hours. A 2023 study showed slight improvement, with 35% arriving within six hours, but fewer than 20% of patients were aware of the "BEFAST" (Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, Time) stroke recognition tool. This highlights a persistent gap in public awareness and timely response to stroke.
Objectives :
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a targeted health education initiative designed to improve community awareness of stroke symptoms and promote timely emergency response using the "FAST" tool, specifically tailored for the Chinese population.
Methodology :
The NTWC Stroke Nursing Team, in collaboration with the Patient Relationship Centre and NTW District Health Centres, conducted 11 health talks focused on acute stroke symptom recognition and emergency response strategies. These sessions specifically targeted over 300 high-risk individuals within the NTWC community. A pre- and post-intervention survey was administered to assess participants’ understanding of stroke symptoms and their intended emergency response actions.
Result & Outcome :
The initiative resulted in a substantial improvement in public knowledge. Post-intervention, 99% of participants correctly identified the key components of the "BEFAST" tool, and 100% reported their intention to “Be fast” if “BEFAST” to call emergency services upon recognizing acute stroke symptoms. These findings underscore the critical role of community-based education in addressing the persistent knowledge gap regarding stroke recognition and response. The success of this program emphasizes the need for broader implementation of similar health education initiatives to improve stroke awareness and reduce delays in seeking care. By fostering early recognition and response, such programs have the potential to significantly improve clinical outcomes for stroke patients. This study highlights the importance of targeted public health strategies in reducing the global burden of stroke.
