Knowing and complying: Patient awareness of aspirin use for secondary prevention of stroke and transient ischaemic attack

Abstract

The aim of this study was to gain understanding into compliance behaviour with aspirin as prescribed for secondary prevention of stroke. The study used a convenience sample of 20 patients who had been admitted to a NHS Trust following a subsequent stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore the use of aspirin at the time of admission. Patient perception of personal risk and risk factors for stroke were explored. Where appropriate, responses were checked against health care records for comparison. The findings suggested that the majority of patients were compliant with aspirin, however deficiencies in current practice were identified. Patients lacked awareness of their risk factors and their risk of having a further stroke. They were also unaware why they were taking aspirin. Strategies that assisted compliance behaviour and reasons for non-compliance were identified.