Prehospital delay after acute ischemic stroke among Thai older adults: A cross-sectional study

Acute ischemic stroke is a common medical emergency among older adults and requires immediate treatment. Prehospital delay limits the use of critical treatments, such as intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activators, leading to serious complications and often death. Using Andersen's Behavioral Model, this cross-sectional study aimed to investigate and determine factors influencing prehospital delay among older persons with acute ischemic stroke. The participants consisted of 120 older persons with first-time acute ischemic stroke diagnoses who received treatments at two hospitals in northern Thailand between November 2021 and February 2022. The results revealed that 70% of older persons experienced delays of over 3 hours following the onset of stroke symptoms. It was found that increased perceived severity of ischemic stroke and a shorter distance from home to the hospital were both associated with a reduced probability of prehospital delay. These findings highlight the significant factors influencing prehospital delay and suggest possible interventions to reduce prehospital delay among older patients with acute ischemic stroke.