Enhancing stroke knowledge among youth: Insights from Stroke Busters

Clare Lambert; Wayne Chang; Ranisha Parker; Kris Allen; Lynn Stevens; Justin Blood; Karin Nystrom; Rachel Forman

doi:10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2024.108078

Enhancing stroke knowledge among youth: Insights from Stroke Busters

J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2024 Dec;33(12):108078. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2024.108078. Epub 2024 Oct 17.

Authors

Clare Lambert¹, Wayne Chang², Ranisha Parker³, Kris Allen³, Lynn Stevens³, Justin Blood³, Karin Nystrom³, Rachel Forman²

Affiliations

¹ Yale School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA. Electronic address: cmlambert04@gmail.com.
² Yale School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
³ Yale New Haven Hospital, Department of Neurology, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.

PMID: 39418923
DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2024.108078

Abstract

Introduction: Community stroke education has shown promising results with sustained stroke knowledge and behavioral changes; however less is known about the effects of targeted education towards youth. We developed an interactive educational program for high school students, Stroke Busters, that focuses on stroke prevention, recognizing warning signs, and the importance of seeking prompt care.

Methods: This is a prospective cohort study where students are offered a stroke education program, 'Stroke Busters', through the Yale Pathways to Science Program, a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) pipeline program for high school students living near New Haven, Connecticut. Students filled out a stroke knowledge survey before, after, and 8-months-post program. Data from four separate sessions were collected (two 5-day programs and two 1-day programs) and scores were compared. Students who returned to help teach were also evaluated with an additional post-test.

Results: The average pre-program score was 36.9% and post-program was 62.5% (N=67, p<0.001) across all sessions. Between sessions, scores were not significantly different. 8-month post-program scores (n=5) were not significantly different from immediate post-program scores. Students in the role of teaching-assistant had post-program scores of 85.7%.

Discussion: High school students who participated in Stroke Busters retained stroke knowledge for up to 8 months. The 1-day program showed similar results to the 5-day program, which suggests providing shorter programs to high school students may represent a more feasible opportunity for community stroke prevention. Additionally, including students in a teaching role is a promising way to increase enthusiasm and stroke knowledge for youth.

Conclusion: Stroke Busters was successfully able to educate high school youth about stroke and programs of both 1 and 5-day are equally effective.

Keywords: Community outreach; High school students; Modifiable risk factors; Stroke education.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior
Age Factors
Connecticut
Female
Health Education*
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Humans
Male
Program Evaluation
Prospective Studies
School Health Services
Stroke* / diagnosis
Stroke* / prevention & control
Stroke* / therapy
Students / psychology
Time Factors