CATROKIES MEDIA: AN EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION TO ENHANCE THE INDEPENDENCE OF STROKE PATIENTS

Abstract

Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death, demanding long-term management to prevent recurrence and enhance patient independence. Although effective nutrition education is essential, conventional educational media are often unengaging. This study therefore examined the effectiveness of the Catrokies educational medium on patients knowledge, skills, blood pressure, nutrient intake (SFA, PUFA, cholesterol, soluble fiber, sodium), and independence in daily activities. A pre-experimental, one-group pre-test–post-test design and observational was used with 13 purposively selected participants. Most respondents were 50–69 years old, male, unemployed, had low educational attainment, had experienced stroke for less than one year, and had diabetes mellitus as a comorbidity. Significant improvements were found in knowledge (p = 0.002) and skills (p = 0.001), along with a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (p = 0.003). Intakes of cholesterol, PUFA, SFA, soluble fiber and sodium also improved markedly (p < 0.05), and patients Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scores increased significantly (p = 0.004). In conclusion, nutrition education delivered through the Catrokies medium proved effective in improving knowledge, skills, blood pressure, nutrient intake, and ADL among stroke patients.