Year: 2011
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Presence of informal social networks has been associated with favorable health and behaviors, but whether different types of social networks impact on different health outcomes remains largely unknown. We examined the associations of different social network types (marital dyad, household, friendship, and informal community networks) with acute stroke preparedness behavior. We hypothesized that marital dyad best matched the required tasks and is the most effective network type for this behavior. METHODS: We collected in-person interview and medical record data for 1,077 adults diagnosed with stroke and transient ischemic attack. We used logistic regression analyses to examine the association of each social network with arrival at the emergency department (ED) within 3 h of stroke symptoms. RESULTS: Adjusting for age, race-ethnicity, education, gender, transportation type to ED and vascular diagnosis, being married or living with a partner was significantly associated with early arrival at the ED (odds ratio = 2.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.2-3.1), but no significant univariate or multivariate associations were observed for household, friendship, and community networks. CONCLUSIONS: The marital/partnership dyad is the most influential type of social network for stroke preparedness behavior.
Source: Cerebrovascular Diseases Extra
DOI: 10.1159/000328726
Institution: Columbia University
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,350
OpenAlex ID: W2060848128