T3. Stroke Prevention for Adolescents and Young Adults in Spanish Speaking Communities

Contact Information:

Sylvia Diaz Duraski, RN, CRRN-A, CNP
sduraski@ric.org

Abstract

Stroke has a disproportionate impact on severity and mortality for Hispanic-Americans. Hispanic-Americans are more likely to have risk factors for stroke, including diabetes, hypertension, physical inactivity and high rates of smoking. Initially these health issues were thought to affect only Hispanic adults, but research confirms that a large percentage of adolescents and young adults also have these same risk factors.

Education has been shown to be an effective method of stroke prevention by increasing an individual's knowledge base. As demonstrated in a previous NIDRR study performed in the Hispanic community, when learning material is presented in Spanish, in a familiar environment and offers lifestyle options that are culturally realistic, there is an increase in knowledge base and increased compliance to lifestyle changes. The focus of education for stroke prevention has always been placed on older adults, but little has been done to alter the cultural risk factors found in the young adult and adolescent population in order to prevent stroke in the future.

The objective of this training program is to develop a computer-based training program directed specifically to Spanish speaking adolescents and young adults that will educate them about the warning signs, symptoms, and risk factors for stroke. This project will take place during the first three years of the grant (2003-2005)