Evaliation of stroke survivores' quality of life and perceived stress

This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of life and perceived stress status of stroke survivors living in Iraq. The design of this study was planned as a cross-sectional descriptive study. Participants' consent in the study was obtained. Ethics committee and institutional permissions were obtained to conduct the study. The study was conducted between 01 April and 30 July 2022. Data were collected through a direct interview for all study participants. Descriptive statistical methods (number, percentage, mean, standard deviation) were used while evaluating the data Parametric tests were used for the scales. An independent sample t-test was performed to test whether our quantitative variables differed significantly from the scores obtained from two unrelated samples. The ANOVA (F) test was applied to test whether the mean of more than two unrelated samples differed significantly from each other The population of the research includes Al-Sadr Medical City, Al-Najaf Training Hospital, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Hospital, Al-Hakim General Hospital and Al-Hakim General Hospital. It was chosen as the Furat Al-Awsat Neuroscience Center. For the sample, survivors followed in these canter's who met the study criteria and volunteered to participate in the study were selected. 205 survivors participated in the study voluntarily. Personal Information Form, Perceived Stress Scale and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale were used to collect data. When the stroke diagnoses of the participants were examined, it was determined that 76.1% had ischemic stroke and 23.9% had haemorrhagic stroke. It was determined that 48.8% of the participants had a stroke 5-6 months ago, and 31.7% had a stroke approximately 7 months ago. While the stroke-specific quality of life score average of the participants was 1.95, the perceived stress scale average score was determined as 11.03. It was determined that the average scores of the participants on the stroke-specific quality of life scale and its sub-dimensions, family role, mood, and personality dimensions showed a statistically significant difference according to gender, and these scores were significantly higher in men (p <0.05). Perceived stress scores in men were found to be significantly higher than in women. Stroke-specific quality of life scale scores of participants aged 40 and under were significantly higher than those of participants aged 40 and over. On the other hand, perceived stress scores were significantly higher in the 40 and under age group compared to other age groups. According to multiple comparisons, it was seen that the energy, mobility, social role, upper extremity function, vision, work/production, stroke-specific quality of life score averages of the single and married groups were higher than the widowed group. Similarly, in multiple comparisons, the average family role and vision scores of those with high school and university education were significantly higher than those of the primary school and below groups. It was observed that the energy, social role and stroke-specific quality of life total score averages of those with university level education were significantly higher than those in the primary school and below group. Additionally, it was found that the mean self-care scores of those who had a haemorrhagic stroke were higher than those who had an ischemic stroke. There is a statistically significant and inverse relationship between perceived stress scores and quality of life scores such as energy, family role, language, movement, mood, personality, self-care, social role, upper extremity function, and work/work (p< 0.01). It was determined that there was a negative and significant relationship between stroke-specific quality of life and perceived stress level (p < 0.01). According to the findings of the study, perceived stress and quality of life, It is affected by variables such as gender, age, income, education level, place of residence, and type of stroke. Among stroke survivors, older age, low education level, widowed individuals and men should be considered as risk groups in terms of quality of life, and since the perceived stress level is higher in this group, special psychosocial support and rehabilitation studies should be organized for th