[Development and evaluation of a web-based education program to prevent secondary stroke]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Public Health
• Health Education

Background:

• Secondary stroke prevention is crucial for reducing recurrence and improving patient outcomes.
• Effective educational interventions are needed to empower patients and families in managing stroke risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a web-based education program for secondary stroke prevention.
• To compare the efficacy of a web-based program against a traditional booklet format and a control group.

Main Methods:

• A web-based secondary stroke prevention education program was developed using system life cycle methodologies.
• The program's effectiveness was evaluated by comparing knowledge, health behavior compliance, family support, and urine cotinine levels across three groups: web, booklet, and control.

Main Results:

• Both web-based and booklet education significantly increased patient and family knowledge, health behavior compliance, and family support compared to the control group.
• The web-based education group showed a significant reduction in urine cotinine levels after 12 weeks.
• No significant differences were observed in medication adherence, blood pressure, or perceived health status among the groups.

Conclusions:

• Web-based and booklet education programs are equally effective in enhancing secondary stroke prevention knowledge, family support, and health behaviors.
• The findings support the potential of web-based education programs as a viable tool for secondary stroke prevention.