Stroke Intervention in Lafayette, Alabama

Jena Jaragoski, Sarah Thomasson, Lauren Worley, Amy Youngblood

The purpose of our project is to reduce the risk of stroke in the community of Lafayette, AL by educating about modifiable risk factors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, poor diet and exercise, diabetes, and obesity. Screen the community of Lafayette for high blood pressure and refer those with hypertension to a doctor.

Purpose

Primary- improve knowledge about stroke and its risks in the area Secondary- screen blood pressure Have the citizens of Lafayette display a better understanding of stroke after our presentation. Provide the citizens with information on what to do if a stroke occurs and where they are able to go.

Objectives

Founded in 1844 Total population of 3,003 Located in Chambers County, exactly halfway between Atlanta and Montgomery Mayor-council governmental structure

Lafayette, Alabama

60% of age is 18-64 years old

18% is 65 years and older

leading industry/occupation
Followed by educational, health and social services

69% of race/ethnic composition is African American

29% is Caucasian

Average per capita income $11,845

Average family income $29,167

35% has less than high school education

7% has Bachelors degree

Manufacturing is the

Lafayette, Alabama

The healthy people 2020 goal for stroke states: Improve cardiovascular health and quality of life through prevention, detection, and treatment of risk factors for heart attack and stroke; early identification and treatment of heart attacks and strokes; and prevention of repeat cardiovascular events.

Healthy People 2020

Older African Americans in Lafayette, AL The older your age, the more likely you are to have a stroke African Americans are the most at risk, especially men. However, we are willing to educate and screen any citizen of Lafayette.

Target Population

Risk for stroke among older African American adults in the Lafayette related to a high prevalence of risk factors of stroke such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, poor diet and exercise, and obesity.

Community Diagnosis

To teach on stroke prevention, it is important to educate on the role of maintaining blood pressure within normal limits (<120/80). Stroke knowledge, including definition of stroke, warning signs and how to seek emergency treatment, was also identified as an important part of education

A quasi-experimental study on a community programme for clients with minor stroke

Literature Support

75% of strokes are first-ever strokes, so it is important to have effective primary prevention. Lowering BP by about 10-12 mmHg systolic and about 5-6 mmHg diastolic reduces risk of stroke by about 38%. The 5 main classes of antihypertensive drugs are all effective in preventing stroke

Preventable stroke and stroke prevention

Literature Support

Medications are necessary to control the major recurrent stroke risk factor, hypertension. Unfortunately, there is a major underuse of prevention medication, especially in African American and Latino communities

Peer education for secondary stroke prevention in inner-city minorities: Design and methods of the prevent recurrence of all innercity strokes through education randomized controlled trial

Literature Support

Parkers Foods, a grocery store right in the heart of historic downtown Lafayette.

Intervention

After permission from the store owner, we set up outside the store and asked customers and employees if they would like their blood pressure taken. While taking blood pressures, we asked the volunteers if they knew what a stroke was or anything about it. We then passed out the flyers and educated them on the definition of stroke, common risk factors, how to identify a stroke, and where to get help.

Intervention

We had 25 volunteers ask to have their blood pressure taken and each were able to stay long enough to talk about stroke prevention and education. They were curious to know their blood pressure and hear more about stroke. Many of the employees of Parkers Foods were very receptive of our education because they witnessed a customer have a stroke a few days before.

Intervention

When a participants blood pressure was abnormally high, we asked about medication and included education about medication adherence. At the end of our discussion with each participant we educated them on the importance of acting fast if they noticed signs of stroke and how to call for help.

Intervention

Many of the participants did not know the normal limits for blood pressure or any of the risk factors for stroke After our education with the participants, many were able to tell us what their blood pressure was and what it should be (what the normal limits are) They also understood more about risk factors and knew they should not be smoking or drinking alcohol in excess. They did not express interest in smoking cessation, but they did acknowledge they understood it was increasing their risk.

Intervention

 Evaluated the knowledge of the population of Lafayette concerning stroke verbally by asking question before and after our intervention.

Evaluation of the Intervention

Multiple citizens who were asked whether they knew some of the warning signs of stroke replied they did not know. None of the citizens interviewed stated that they believed they were personally at risk.
Many of the citizens interviewed admitted to being prescribed medication for hypertension but were not compliant with taking the medication.

Prior to the Intervention

Were able to list risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and smoking. When asked whether they were personally at risk for stroke many of the interviewed citizens now answered yes. Were able to communicate ways to reduce their risk of stroke such as moderate exercise and a low sodium diet to lower their blood pressure.

After the Intervention

Our location for our intervention allowed us to implement our intervention and assess people of different age, sex, and race The people of Lafayette were very welcoming and interested in what we had to say. The community of Lafayette asked us to come back and talked about how they need things like this in the community. Overall, those who were educated on the risks of stroke were then able to repeat back what they had learned.

Were we successful?