Educational campaigns at point of purchase in rural supermarkets improve stroke knowledge.

BACKGROUND

The number of elderly people is dramatically increasing, and this trend is especially pronounced in rural populations. The aim of the present study was to verify the effectiveness of stroke education in a rural area.

METHODS

The stroke educational flyers were distributed for 3 weeks at the point of purchase within supermarkets. Questionnaires were used to determine knowledge about stroke and appropriate emergent action on identifying stroke.

RESULTS

A total of 882 people responded to the questionnaires before (n = 409) and 3 months after (n = 473) the campaign. Of these, 686 (77.8%) were aged 65 years or older. The percentages of correct answers for hemiplegia and one-sided numbness (P < .05 for both) and calling emergency medical services (EMS) on identifying stroke occurrence (P < .001) were higher after the campaign compared with those before the campaign. Of the respondents aged 65 years or older, the percentages of correct answers for numbness on one side and calling for EMS on identifying stroke were higher after the campaign (P < .05 and P < .001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

A simple point-of-purchase stroke campaign using educational flyers could meaningfully affect stroke knowledge among elderly persons in a rural community.