Jennifer L. Dearborn|Louise D. McCullough
Perception of Risk and Knowledge of Risk Factors in Women at High Risk for Stroke
Hartford Hospital|University of Connecticut Health Center|Hartford Hospital|University of Connecticut Health Center
background purpose women face higher mortality stroke different risk factors men despite educational campaigns women continue underestimate risk stroke present theoretical model understand risk perception highrisk women methods eight hundred five women ages 50 70 years selected university connecticut cardiology center least one risk factor stroke 5part questionnaire addressed stroke knowledge risk perception risk factors access health care demographics two hundred fifteen women responded mail 28 response rate deidentified data entered spss descriptive bivariate multivariate techniques assessed proposed model results cohort predominantly white 915 higher income 331 population earned gt75 000 welleducated 286 attended graduate professional school 2 37 54 women atrial fibrillation 11 71 women heart disease 155 identified health condition risk factor stroke predictors risk perception included womens risk b0336 p lt0001 worrying stroke b0734 p lt0001 hypertension b0686 p 0037 diabetes b0893 p 0004 639 women atrial fibrillation n23 reported taking warfarin conclusions women often unable identify health condition risk factor stroke addition many women undertaking primary prevention behaviors risk perception low highrisk women perceived risk stroke peers educational strategies must advocate target highrisk women