Health Seeking Behaviour, Quality Of Life And Caregiver Burden Among Post Stroke Patients Residing In Rural Area - A Community Based Cross Sectional Study

Stroke is a sudden, unpredictable event causing significant mortality and disability worldwide, particularly in lower-income countries. According to WHO, the lifetime risk of stroke has increased by 50% in 17 years, with 1 in 4 people expected to experience a stroke. India reports a high stroke burden, with prevalence rates ranging from 84 to 424 per 100,000 population and early onset between 55-65 years. Public awareness of stroke symptoms and post-stroke care is alarmingly low, especially in rural areas, where only a small fraction recognize symptoms or healthcare services. Post-stroke survivors face diminished quality of life, measurable using tools like WHOQOL-BREF. Caregivers, often unpaid family members, experience significant physical, emotional, and financial strain, as assessed by the Zarit Burden Interview. Despite the critical need, community-based studies on stroke awareness, quality of life, and caregiver burden are limited, especially in rural settings, highlighting an urgent need for targeted interventions