Anticipated Response of African Americans to Stroke Symptoms

Abstract

This study explored what African Americans aged 55 and older believed they would do in response to stroke symptoms. The study focused on individual factors related to stroke risk, extending beyond concerns in the African American community of limited health care access and genetic predisposition to stroke. The study examined whether an individual’s illness representation of stroke, stroke risk factor knowledge, time perspective, or spirituality influenced that person’s anticipated response to stroke symptoms. Specific aims include a) enhancing present understanding of how African Americans respond to stroke, b) distinguishing the biological, societal, and behavioral factors related to stroke in the African American community, and c) providing insight and data to serve as a foundation for targeted stroke prevention interventions in the African American community. A qualitative dominant mixed methods approach was used to collect data from African Americans, either after a diagnosed stroke (n=6) or without a stroke history (n=14). Face-to-face interviews with participants explored their knowledge about strokes. Participants also completed questionnaires regarding factual knowledge, as well as illness representation, spirituality, and time perspective. Participants in the study were found to be highly spiritual. Participants in both groups were found to be future oriented. Participants each had understanding of stroke as emergency and could recall symptoms of acute stroke. Participants routinely stated they would “call 9-1-1” if they thought they were having a stroke. When asked about their anticipated response to specific stroke symptoms, the participants reported they would call emergency medical services approximately 40% of the time. There continues to be a gap between stroke knowledge and action in the African American population. Stroke is regarded as emergency, yet specific symptoms of stroke may not always be viewed as warranting immediate attention. These results support a continued need for stroke education in this community. Stroke education should consider an individual’s culture and how culture may influence an individual’s health behavior. This education should also emphasize how seemingly benign symptoms may be indicative of a more serious condition. Approaching health education by integrating an individual’s spiritual preferences, time orientation, and illness representation may help build more effective individualized health education and promote an improved adherence to health recommendations.