Stroke Community Awareness among Public: A Cross Sectional Study
Stroke Awareness among the Public
Vol. 9 No. 1 : 2014 (33-43)
Abstract
This study assessed the level of public awareness pertaining to risk factors, symptoms, treatment and source of information in relation to stroke and transient ischaemic attack. Stroke risk profile of the respondents was correlated with their level of knowledge. Using a validated pre-tested questionnaire, 112 respondents were recruited during two separate community events. Respondents completed the questionnaire and underwent health screening. The data were analysed using SPSS version 20. Overall knowledge was poor. Only 35% of the respondents had satisfactory knowledge of the warning signs (p= 0.94) and 29% had satisfactory knowledge on the risk factors (p=0.46). When analysed according to risk groups, 26%, 30% and 41% of respondents had satisfactory awareness in the low, intermediate and high risk group, respectively. None of the respondents knew about the availability of treatment of acute stroke in the emergency department or the importance of rehabilitation as part of stroke management. Public awareness on stroke risk factors, symptoms and management is poor.
Keywords :
acute stroke,
community awareness,
risk factors,
stroke awareness,
stroke warning signs,
transient ischaemic attack,
Correspondance Address
Nik Azlan Nik Muhamad, Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel: +603-91455703 Fax: +603-9146577 Email: nikazlanmuhamad@hotmail.com
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