Islam MF
Background: Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Bangladesh. The World Health Organization ranks Bangladesh's mortality rate due to stroke as number 84 in the world. Study suggested that a lot of factors are involved in the cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and Habitual Physical Activity plays an important role in prevention of stroke. Surgeon General’s report indeed shows that physical activity is associated with lower stroke risk and subsequent stroke death.
Methodology: Purpose of the present cross sectional study is to understand the level of habitual physical activities of patient’s with CVA before stroke. The study conducted in the Stroke Rehab Unit of Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP). Sample was chosen according to the non probability “purposive” sampling method. Data was analyzed with the software named Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0.
Results: Purposively selected 135 patients were included in the study. Mean± SD of age was 53.1 ± 12.7 years. Among them 76.3% were male and 23.7% were female. Highest numbers of participants were in the age group of more than 58 years (34.8%). More than half (52.6%) of the participants were from upper lower class according to Kuppuswamy’s SES Classification. Study also found that 37.8% participants had heavier workload compare with others. Alongside, during leisure 41.5% were sometimes watching TV and 54.8% were seldom walking during leisure whereas 20% used to sometimes walking during leisure. Nevertheless, it was found that among the participants 48.1% were never play sports during leisure. Only 5.9% (n=8) were always playing sports during leisure. The study showed no significant relation between workload and CVA (x2 = 8.796 > P = 0.05) and relationship between social status and CVA which also insignificant (x2 = 1.936) > P= 0.05) but significant in the workload relation (x2 = 2.965 > P = 0.05).
Conclusion: It is established by the researcher and scientist that habitual physical activity or active life style reduces the risk of CVA. In contrast, sedentary life style or less physical activity impact on individual’s health. Participants were less in percentage affected by CVA who involved in physical activity either in the job or in the leisure activities.
