# Investigation on care knowledge–attitude–practice of the main caregivers of patients with dysphagia following stroke

## TL;DR

This study examines how well caregivers of stroke patients with swallowing difficulties know, feel, and act regarding their care, and what factors influence these aspects.

## Contribution

The study identifies key factors influencing caregivers' knowledge, attitude, and practice in managing dysphagia after stroke.

## Key findings

- Caregivers' knowledge and practice scores were relatively low, but their attitudes were more positive.
- Education level, care duration, caregiver age, income, and treatment status significantly influenced KAP scores.
- Findings suggest a need for targeted health education for caregivers of stroke patients with dysphagia.

## Abstract

To investigate the status of care knowledge–attitude–practice (KAP) of the main caregivers of patients with dysphagia following stroke, analyse the influencing factors, and provide a basis for health education for clinical medical staff.

A total of 268 primary caregivers of stroke dysphagia who met the inclusion criteria between May 2023 and December 2024 in the departments of neurology and rehabilitation of a tertiary hospital in Jiangsu Province were recruited as the survey participants via convenience sampling. The general information of the main caregivers and their nursing knowledge, attitude, and practice were then collected for analysis.

Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the self-made questionnaire was 0.906, the split-half reliability was 0.939, and the scale-level content validity index was 0.95, indicating good reliability and validity. The average score of the knowledge dimension was 7.30 ± 4.07 points; the average score of the attitude dimension was 19.70 ± 3.49 points; the average score in the practice dimension was 19.56 ± 5.22 points. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the age of the caregiver (β = −0.136, P = 0.014), cultural level (β = 0.485, P < 0.001), the treatment status of dysphagia (β = −0.108, P = 0.008), care time (β = 0.277, P < 0.001), and monthly income (β = 0.178, P < 0.001) were the influencing factors of knowledge–attitude–practice.

The primary caregivers' care knowledge and behavior need to be improved, although the care attitude is more positive. Education level, care time, age of caregivers, monthly income, and treatment of swallowing disorder were the influencing factors.