Factors Associated with Self-Management Behaviors among Individuals with Recurrent Stroke in Wenzhou, China

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to describe self-management behaviors and determine the relationships between stroke prevention knowledge, illness representation, hope and self-management behaviors among recurrent stroke persons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study used a correlational cross-sectional design among 100 randomly selected persons who were admitted at eight neurology out-patient departments of one hospital in Wenzhou, China. Each participant completed a demographic questionnaire and four reliable and validated questionnaires: the Chinese Version of the Stroke Self-management Scale, the Stroke Prevention Knowledge Questionnaire, the Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire, and the Herth Hope Index. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that the level of self-management behaviors among participants was moderate (106.32 ± 15.15). Stroke prevention knowledge, illness representation, and hope showed a significant and positive correlation with self-management behaviors (r = 0.627, p < 0.001, r = 0.273, p < 0.001, r = 0.518, p < 0.001) respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings provide evidence for nurses and nursing researchers to develop intervention programs aimed at promoting stroke prevention knowledge, illness representation, and hope among recurrent stroke patients, thereby improving their self-management behaviors.