Evaluation of quality of life in stroke patients

Objective: This study was planned to evaluate the quality of life in stroke patients and to determine the factors that affect the quality of life of the patients after stroke. Methodology: The sample of the study consisted of 150 stroke patients who were followed up in their hospitals in Najaf, Iraq between December 1, 2021 and January 16, 2022 and who accepted to participate in the study. The study has a descriptive and cross-sectional layout. Data were collected with a Socio-demographic data form and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS). Data were analyzed with SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for Windows 25.0. In the evaluation of the data, descriptive statistical methods, number, percentage, minimum-maximum values, mean and standard deviation were calculated. Differences between groups were determined by ANOVA test and t-test. Results: The mean age of the study group was 59.48 ± 12.64, and 54.7% were male, 35.3% were illiterate, and 77.3% were married. In the analyses made, it was determined that the SIS scale was valid and reliable in terms of its use in the individuals included in the research. The highest score the participants got from the scale was in the mobility sub-dimension (81.50 ± 14.00), and the lowest score was in the emotion sub-dimension (28.02 ± 15.90 SIS scale and sociodemographic characteristics were compared according to the education level of the participants, in the mobility sub-dimension, and in the economic sub-dimension). It was determined that there was a significant difference in the ADL/IADL sub-dimension according to their status and pre-stroke jobs/occupations, and in communication, emotion, memory and thinking, participation/role function sub-dimensions according to post-stroke job and occupational changes. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that the quality of life in stroke patients is affected by socio-demographic characteristics related to education level, economic status, job/occupation before stroke and job/occupation change after stroke. Recommendation: Nurses should regularly evaluate the quality of life patients in the post-stroke period and make the necessary plans to increase the quality of life.