Knowledge and awareness regarding stroke among general population: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Background: Stroke is one of the major causes of loss of quality-adjusted life years and inflicts varying degree of physical deficits, psychological distress, and strained social relationships among stroke survivors. However, knowledge regarding risk factors, warning symptoms, and first aid management of stroke can help to minimize this burden. Aim: This study aims to assess knowledge and awareness of general population regarding risk factors, warning symptoms, and first aid management of stroke. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted to collect information from general population regarding risk factor, warning symptoms, and first aid management of stroke by administering a pretested questionnaire. Five hundred patients attending Outpatient Departments of Selected Hospital were selected using simple random sampling. After explaining purpose of the study and taking written consent from the participants, the participants were requested to fill the questionnaire. Results: The findings revealed that only 22.6% of participants were having good knowledge, 56.6% were having average knowledge, and rest 20.8% of them had poor knowledge regarding risk factors, warning symptoms, and first aid management of stroke. The mean knowledge score was 11.86 ± 3.651. 31.4%, 36.2%, and 33.6% of participants were not aware about even single risk factors, warning symptoms, and first aid management of stroke, respectively. Conclusion: The low level of knowledge regarding risk factor, warning symptoms, and first aid management of stroke indicates immense need of initiatives to implement stroke education.