• Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre (UMCares)
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Increasing awareness of Stroke : The FAST/CePat Project

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  • Increasing awareness of Stroke : The FAST/CePat Project

MyRA Community Engagement Star Rating

Awarded for Health Awareness Campaign and Knowledge Translation

Key Project Metrics:

Duration: 9 Months

Location: Klinik Kesihatan Kuala Lumpur

Beneficiaries: Over 1,013 People

Core Message: CePat (FAST translation)

Project Rationale & Methodology

The FAST/CePat project was initiated to address a critical gap: 3 out of 4 stroke patients do not access timely treatment (within 3 hours) due to poor awareness of symptoms and the urgency of medical access. The goal was to significantly improve public and patient awareness regarding stroke signs and the importance of seeking immediate medical attention.

Intervention Method: The team utilized the globally recognized FAST message, translated into the accessible local acronym CePat (Cakap yang tidak jelas, Perubahan muka, Anggota lemah, Terus ke Hospital). The intervention tested the effectiveness of educational posters displaying the CePat message placed in the clinic waiting room.

Study Design: Participants were recruited at registration at Klinik Kesihatan Kuala Lumpur. A short questionnaire was administered before and after seeing the doctor. A control group received no intervention during the first week, while the intervention group was exposed to the CePat posters during the second week of data collection (March 2018). The data analysis aims to determine the difference in knowledge improvement between the two groups.

Collaborative Approach: The project's success relied on strong collaboration with clinic staff, including Dr Mimi, Dr Nagammai, and the medical officer in charge, through two planning meetings. A patient advocate was also involved to ensure the materials were easily readable and relevant to the public.

Multimedia Highlights & Patient Engagement

CePAT stroke awareness poster in Bahasa Malaysia.

Community Engagement Strategy

  • Face-to-Face Contact: Engagement was primarily through direct interaction at a prominent 'KAJIAN STROK' booth near the registration counter.
  • Approachable Enumerators: Enumerators were specifically trained to be approachable and communicate with all members of the public, even non-participants.
  • Post-Data Education: Enumerators briefed participants on the **correct answers immediately after they completed the second form, ensuring an instant educational outcome.
  • Shared Understanding: Multiple meetings were held with clinic staff to establish a shared understanding of the research process and project goals.

Community Feedback & Project Output

  • Positive Response: Verbal feedback from participants indicated strong support, stating it was a good project to raise awareness.
  • Future Asset: The community advocated for the CePAT materials to be used in further public health campaigns.
  • Data Output: Findings will be shared with the clinic and community to inform future health promotion strategies.
  • Resource Legacy: The developed posters will be utilized in future public engagement projects by the research team.

Next Steps & Future Collaboration

The final stage of the project involves formal knowledge sharing and planning for sustained impact:

  • A conclusive meeting will be held with clinic staff and other stakeholders to officially share the final research findings.
  • The discussion will focus on determining next steps and how the successful CePAT materials can be integrated permanently into the clinic's patient education protocol and wider community campaigns.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Good Health and Well-being

Target 3.4: This project directly combats non-communicable diseases by increasing public awareness of stroke symptoms, enabling prompt treatment, and reducing mortality/disability.

SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities

Reduced Inequalities

By focusing on health literacy within a community clinic setting, the project helps ensure equitable access to health knowledge, especially for vulnerable populations who rely on public health services.

SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals

Partnerships for the Goals

This initiative is a robust partnership between the university's research team (academia), public health institutions (Klinik Kesihatan Kuala Lumpur), and community advocates, strengthening effective collaborations.

Last Update: 07/11/2025