Factors Influencing Health Seeking Behaviors of African Americans Experiencing Stroke Symptoms - Research Paper Example

Delayed admission time is considered one of the most important factors why African Americans do not receive thrombolytic therapy for their strokes (Lisabeth and Kleindorfer, 2009).  Stroke literacy is identified as an individual’s awareness of stroke risk factors and symptoms (Lisabeth and Kleindorfer, 2009).  There is a pressing need to improve stroke prevention and provide access to acute stroke therapy for minorities groups, particularly African Americans (Lisabeth and Kleindorfer, 2009).  

Wiley et al (2009) in their study surveyed with Stroke Knowledge questionnaire African American participants (n=672), which comprised 65.7% of the survey cohort.  According to Wiley (2009), only 56.3% of African American respondents identified the brain as the organ where the stroke occurs.  Among stroke symptoms, hemiparesis, speech disturbance, headache, and blurred vision were the best recognized.   Primary risk factors for stroke were correctly identified and included hypertension, family history of stroke, obesity, smoking, and cocaine abuse.  From the perspective on study results, Wiley et al (2009) found significant deficiencies in stroke literacy among African American study sample.  Because of poor stroke literacy in Wiley et al study (2009), participants were not likely to activate EMS.  Consequently, poor literacy on stroke symptoms among African American population jeopardizes the effectiveness of early prevention therapy.  

King et al (2001) in their study aimed to determine whether African American individuals who suffered from stroke (n=103) presented for treatment within the first 3 hours, a critical period needed for effective treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA).   Through the Stroke Survey Tool, King et al (2001) determined that an average time needed for African American victims to present for treatment constituted 24.68 hours.  Percentage analysis revealed that 49% of stroke victims were admitted within the first 3 hours, 54% presented within 12 hours and 83% sought medical help within 24 hours.  The most common reasons for the delay or not presenting for treatment at all were identified misunderstanding of symptoms, confusing them with diabetes manifestation, sleeping in an awkward position, elevated sugar, etc.  King et al (2001) indicated that as a result of late admission for treatment 97% of participants did not receive thrombolytic therapy.  King et al (2001) stressed that the patients’ knowledge of stroke symptoms and their attempts to seek medical assistance is detrimental in stroke successful treatment. 

A similar statement was emphasized in the study conducted by Kleindorfer and colleagues (2008).  They revealed that educational strategies aimed to inform African American individuals (women, n=383) on stroke are effective methods to increase stroke awareness and seek medical assistance once symptoms occur.  After 5 months of educational intervention, participants improved significantly in knowledge on stroke (50% increase from baseline) and the importance of seeking medical assistance early.     

Zerwic and Hwang (2007) interviewed patients (n=38) who suffered from an ischemic stroke in order to determine participants’ knowledge on symptoms, causes of stroke as well as patterns of symptoms recognition and seeking medical assistance.  Zerwic and Hwang (2007) found that 55.3% of respondents were able to correctly identify at least one stroke symptom, while ten patients (26.3%) were not aware of any of stroke symptoms.  The research identified a mean delay in admission to the emergency department to be 16 hours.  The main reasons for the delay in presentation for treatment were race, no history of stroke, lack of information on stroke symptoms, awoke with manifested symptoms, and did not use 911.  Zerwic and Hwang (2007) identified the lack of general information on stroke and its symptoms as the most contributing factor causing the delay in ED admission.

After stroke symptoms onset, African American patients were found to contact 911 later, and thus they were admitted to the ED significantly later than whites.  Kothari et al (1999) explained this finding with several factors, particularly blacks living alone, being uninformed on stroke symptoms, being resistant to seek medical attention, and transformation difficulties.