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Health beliefs around stroke in an urban South African setting - a qualitative study


 Individuals in developing countries are disproportionately affected by stroke disease, where healthcare services are overwhelmed, and inadequate health literacy stifles preventive and promotive health behaviours. This research aimed to explore the experiences and views of patients with stroke in an urban South African setting. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 patients living with stroke disease, recruited from an outpatient department in an urban setting. Participants in this study frequently described stroke disease as a fate worse than death. They frequently cited cultural, spiritual and psychological factors as causes for their stroke. Participants were unaware of any potential therapies and viewed the healthcare system as unhelpful and frustrating. These findings highlight the lived experiences of patients with debilitating stroke disease in a health system that is hospicentric with a curative design. Poor health literacy disables appropriate health-related preventive and promotive behaviours around stroke disease that disproportionately affects the marginalised of society.