Increasing Public Knowledge about Early Detection of Stroke through FAST Method Education at the Tanjung Morawa Health Center

Dimas Aqiel Baihaqi Prayugo; Syahril Ananda Siregar; Aurel Valiziah Pohan; Odilla Meissy Adyatma; Joya shalom Razade; Pinta Pudiyanti Siregar

doi:10.71456/jik.v5i1.2841

Authors

Dimas Aqiel Baihaqi Prayugo Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of sumatera Utara
Syahril Ananda Siregar Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of sumatera Utara
Aurel Valiziah Pohan Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of sumatera Utara
Odilla Meissy Adyatma Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of sumatera Utara
Joya shalom Razade Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of sumatera Utara
Pinta Pudiyanti Siregar Department of Public Health, Muhammadiyah University of North Sumatra

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71456/jik.v5i1.2841

Keywords:

Stroke, Early Detection, FAST, Health Education, Community Knowledge

Abstract

Stroke is a major health problem that requires rapid recognition of symptoms and immediate treatment to prevent disability and death. Limited public knowledge regarding the early signs of stroke may contribute to delays in seeking medical care. One simple method that can be used by the community to recognize early stroke symptoms is FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time). This activity aimed to improve community knowledge regarding early stroke detection through FAST-based health education at Tanjung Morawa Public Health Center. The activity used a health education approach with a one-group pretest-posttest design. Participants' knowledge was assessed before and after the educational intervention using the same assessment instrument. A total of 22 participants completed both pretest and posttest assessments. The results showed that the mean knowledge score increased from 45.00 ± 34.74 at pretest to 85.91 ± 21.30 at posttest, representing a mean increase of 40.91 points. Nineteen participants experienced an improvement in their scores, while three participants showed no change, and no participant experienced a decrease. The Wilcoxon test demonstrated a statistically significant difference between pretest and posttest scores (p < 0.001). The proportion of participants achieving a score of ≥80 increased from 31.8% to 77.3%. FAST-based health education was effective in improving community knowledge regarding early stroke detection at Tanjung Morawa Public Health Center. FAST education may therefore be considered as a promotive and preventive strategy in primary healthcare settings to improve community preparedness in recognizing early stroke symptoms.

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