Self-efficacy for health-related behaviour change in patients with TIA or minor ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To assess levels of self-efficacy for health-related behaviour change and its correlates in patients with TIA or ischemic stroke.

METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 92 patients with TIA or ischemic stroke completed questionnaires on self-efficacy for health-related behaviour change and fear, social support and depressive symptoms. Relations between fear, social support, depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment, vascular risk factors and history and demographic characteristics and low-self-efficacy were studied with univariable and multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS: Median total self-efficacy score at baseline was 4 (IQR 4-5). Older age (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.09), depressive symptoms (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.16), presence of vascular history (OR 2.42, 95% CI 0.97-6.03), higher BMI (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.01-1.30), fear (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.12) and low physical activity (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.01-2.21) were significantly associated with low self-efficacy.

CONCLUSION: Patients with recent TIA or ischemic stroke report high self-efficacy scores for health-related behaviour change. Age, vascular history, more depressive symptoms, higher BMI, less physical activity and fear were correlates of low self-efficacy levels.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: These correlates should be taken into account in the development of interventions to support patients in health behaviour change after TIA or ischemic stroke.