Educational and Socioeconomic Correlates of Stroke Risk Behaviors: Findings from the SPRINT INDIA Trial

Secondary Prevention by Structured Semi-Interactive Stroke Prevention Package in India (SPRINT INDIA) trial was a randomized control trial that enrolled 4298 stroke patients and administered educational interventions at 31 centers across India, with the aim to reduce recurrent stroke through increased stroke knowledge. This SPRINT INDIA trial post hoc study aims to investigate the incidence of recurrent stroke, high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), death, and lifestyle behavioral factors at 1 year. In addition, it examines the relationship between patients' baseline characteristics and education levels, risk factors, and outcomes and performs subgroup analysis within the intervention and control groups.

Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to either intervention or control group through computer-based randomization on web. Intervention included stroke prevention Short Message Service messages, short-duration videos, and printed workbooks. Baseline assessments captured demographic and educational data, classifying patients into three categories: no schooling, less than high school, and high school or above. Primary outcome was a composite of recurrent stroke, high-risk TIA, ACS, and mortality at 1 year. Chi-square tests and analysis of variance were used to evaluate educational disparities across various variables.

The intervention did not reduce primary outcomes at 1 year among patients with different educational levels. Higher educational group was associated with enhanced medication adherence (94.3% vs 85.4%; P < 0.001), increased physical activity (5497.91 ± 4117.7 vs 6169.91±4828.8; P < 0.001), lower triglyceride levels, and decreased engagement in behavioral risk factors like alcohol intake (5.1% vs 6.8%; P = 0.013) and tobacco use (smoked and chewed) (4% vs 7.9%; P < 0.001 and 5.8% vs 11.6%; P = 0.020).

Personalized secondary stroke prevention, tailored to educational levels, is crucial for effective stroke management.