KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND RISK BEHAVIORS OF STROKE ELDERLY WITH HYPERTENSION IN KHLONG KHON, MUANG SAMUT SONGKHAM, SAMUT SONGKHRAM PROVINCE

Abstract

           This research is descriptive research with the objective to study knowledge, attitude, and risk behavior on cerebrovascular disease or stroke or paralysis among elderly hypertensive patients in Khlong Khon, Muang Samut Songkham, Samut Songkhram Province. The questionnaire had been distributed across 213 patients (N = 213). Four main parts of questionnaire consisted of demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and behavioral risk on cerebrovascular disease or stroke. Descriptive statistics were applied for analysis data. The result showed that a majority participant was female (64.0%), uneducated (56%), unemployment (58%), and monthly income lower than 5,000 baht. Most of them do not have relatives such as parents or siblings. Moreover, they had been diagnosed as high blood pressure/stroke/cerebrovascular disease/paralysis. Measurement of knowledge and attitude on cerebrovascular disease/stroke revealed low knowledge and poor attitude as well as the highest percent (56% and 52%, respectively). However, their behaviours presented moderate level (48%) of risk to these particular diseases. Therefore, Health officers should encourage, promote, and contribute knowledge on disease prevention across not only the elderly group but also all ages population. As a result, elderly or risk group may raise their awareness and emphasise the serious outcome of these particular diseases, and to sustainably improve their quality of life.