Warning Signs Of Stroke Research Articles

Australian Public’s Awareness of Stroke Warning Signs Improves After National Multimedia Campaigns

The aim of this study was to examine the reach and impact of the National Stroke Foundation (NSF) multimedia stroke warning sign campaigns across Australia. A total of 12 439 surveys were performed across 6 states during 6 years on random state-weighted samples of Australians≥40 years old. Awareness of stroke advertising increased 31% to 50% between 2004 and 2010 (P<0.001), as did the unprompted recall of ≥2 most common stroke warning signs 20% to 53% (P<0.001). Awareness of stroke advertising was independently associated with recalling ≥2 common signs (adjusted odds ratio=1.88, 95% confidence interval [1.74-2.04]; P<0.001). Awareness was not greater in respondents with previous stroke or risk factors, except atrial fibrillation. The Australian public's awareness of stroke warning signs has improved since commencement of the NSF campaigns commensurate with greater awareness of stroke advertising. Public education efforts are worthwhile, and future efforts should focus on groups identified with low awareness or those at high risk of stroke.

Poor Recognition of Prompted Treatment Seeking Even with Good Knowledge of Stroke Warning Signs Contribute to Delayed Arrival of Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients in Thailand

Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator given within 4.5hours after the onset of ischemic stroke is the most powerful standard treatment for patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, most of the patients arrive at the hospital later than 4.5-hours time window for intravenous thrombolysis. We study the factors that might contribute to delayed arrival in patients with acute ischemic stroke. One hundred eighty-one acute ischemic stroke patients (or their respondents) who admitted in stroke unit of 3 different hospitals were interviewed with a questionnaire regarding knowledge of stroke warning signs and recognition of prompted treatment seeking (Stroke Act FAST). Eighty-nine patients who arrived during 4.5hours after onset were categorized as on-time group and the rest fell into delayed group. Initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, nature of onset (sudden or gradual/fluctuation), day interval of the onset (8 am to 4 pm, 4 pm to midnight, or midnight to 8 am), mode of transportation, place of onset, knowledge of stroke warning signs, and prompted treatment seeking (Stroke Act FAST) were compared between 2 groups. Patients in on-time group presented with sudden-onset nature much more than patients in delayed group (P=.006). Association factors including day interval of the onset, mode of transportation, place of onset and knowledge of stroke warning signs are not different between groups (P>.05), whereas recognition of prompted treatment seeking is better in on-time group than in delayed group. In conclusion, good knowledge of stroke warning signs, most severe stroke, onset at workplace, onset during daytime, and ambulance for transportation are not associated with early arrival within 4.5-hours time window. However, sudden-onset nature and prompted treatment seeking may predict early arrival.

The Beautyshop Stroke Education Project: The Physician's Office Is an Accurate Source for Stroke Knowledge among African-American Women (P04.063)

Objective: In this study, we looked at baseline source of knowledge and its impact on correct identification of risk factors (RF) and warning signs (WS) in a high-risk population. Background Knowledge of stroke RF and WS is poor in the high-risk population of African-Americans. Previous work demonstrated that by using a novel method of stroke education through beauty shops, African-American women gained knowledge of stroke RF but not WS. Design/Methods: Thirty African-American beauticians were educated about stroke WS and RF in 2 large urban areas in the US. The beauticians then educated African-American female clientele during appointments. Stroke knowledge was measured via pre- and post-assessment (6 weeks and 5 months) using surveys with open-ended questions. Source of knowledge was asked at baseline. Post-hoc multi-variable logistic regression adjusting for age, education, reported high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol was used to assess the impact of various knowledge sources on ability to correctly identify stroke RF and WS. Results: There were 383 completed baseline surveys. 41% knew 3 WS and 47% knew 3 RF. Family member or friend was the most common source of some stroke knowledge, 185 (48.3%), while 156 (40.7%) gained knowledge of stroke from a physician, and 148 (38.6%) from print media. Participants who obtained stroke knowledge from a physician had the highest odds of knowing 3 RF [OR 2.04 (95% CI: 1.30-3.20]. Similarly, with stroke WS, those educated by a physician had the highest odds of identifying 3 correct signs [OR 1.69 (CI: 1.08-2.64)]. Conclusions: In the Beautyshop Stroke Education Project, stroke knowledge was most likely obtained from family or friends. However, knowledge ascertained from a physician was most likely to impact the ability to correctly identify RF and WS. Additional efforts are needed to educate high-risk groups that may have limited physician access on stroke RF and WS. Disclosure: Dr. Natarajan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Khoury has nothing to disclose. Dr. Moomaw has nothing to disclose. Dr. Miller has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sailor-Smith has nothing to disclose. Dr. Frankel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kleindorfer has received personal compensation for activities with Genentech, Inc. and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as a speaker and participant on an advisory board.

Sources of Knowledge for Stroke Warning Signs and Risk Factors within a Population (P07.051)

Sources of Knowledge for Stroke Warning Signs and Risk Factors within a Population (P07.051)

Perceived Emotional Support and Frequent Social Contacts Are Associated with Greater Knowledge of Stroke Warning Signs: Evidence from Two Cross-sectional US Population Surveys

Public knowledge of acute stroke symptoms is a goal of public health policy. Similarly, general health knowledge is a hypothesized pathway for the salutary effects of social ties. This study examined the association of stroke warning sign knowledge with the quantity (number of recent social contacts) and/or quality (perceived emotional support) of social ties in two population-based cross-sectional surveys (Ns = 33,326 and 80,454). Both higher levels of emotional support and more frequent social contacts were independently associated with greater stroke warning sign knowledge. Social isolation is a novel marker of poor knowledge of stroke warning signs.

Impact of Media on Community Awareness of Stroke Warning Signs: A Comparison Study

Prompt identification of the warning signs of ischemic stroke is critical to ensure appropriate and timely treatment. We implemented a 20-week public education campaign in one media market to increase community awareness of warning signs for stroke and the need to call 911. Telephone surveys were conducted in adults aged 45 years and older in the intervention county and a comparison county before and after the campaign to evaluate its impact. There was a significant increase in awareness of two or more warning signs for stroke from baseline to follow-up in the intervention county (73%-82%) but not in the comparison county (68%-69%). Respondent awareness of stroke warning signs increased significantly in the intervention county among men (68%-79%) and women (76%-84%) and among respondents aged 45 to 64 years (77%-85%) and respondents aged 65 years and older (67%-78%). There was no significant change in the proportion of respondents indicating they would call 911 if they witnessed someone having a stroke in the intervention county (81%-84%). However, after the campaign, an increased proportion of respondents in the intervention county indicated they would call 911 if they experienced sudden numbness or loss of sensation (50%-56%). Our findings suggest that a high-intensity public education campaign can increase community awareness of the warning signs for stroke and the need to call 911 for specific symptoms.

New communication technology for recognition of and reaction to stroke-warning signs in a prehospital setting

aUlsan Fire Department Headquarters, Ulsan bDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul cDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Changwon Fatima Hospital, Changwon, Korea Correspondence to Jong Woo Park, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Changwon Fatima Hospital, Myeongseo-Dong, Changwon 641-560, Korea Tel: +82 55 238 1128; fax: +82 55 238 1114; e-mail: [email protected] Received 17 August 2008 Accepted 14 September 2008

Temporal Trends in Public Awareness of Stroke

Delay in seeking medical attention after stroke symptom onset is the most important reason for low rates of thrombolytic use for ischemic stroke (IS) in the United States. This may be related to poor recognition of stroke symptoms, or to lack of awareness of time-sensitive stroke treatments. We describe public knowledge of t-PA as a treatment for IS, as well as changes over time in knowledge of stroke warning signs (WS) and risk factors (RF). Survey respondents were drawn from our biracial population of 1.3 million using random-digit dialing in 1995, 2000, and 2005 to reflect the age, race, and gender distribution of stroke patients, based on an ongoing stroke incidence study in the same region. They were asked open-ended questions regarding stroke WS, RF, and, in 2005, specific questions regarding t-PA. Comparisons over time were made using chi(2) analysis, and were corrected for multiple comparisons. Over the 10-year study period, 6209 surveys were completed. Knowledge of WS and RF improved between 1995 and 2000. Between 2000 and 2005, knowledge did not improve significantly; however, there was a significant improvement in knowledge of 3 warning signs (12% in 1995 vs 16% in 2005, P=0.0004). In 2005, only 3.6% of those surveyed were able to independently name t-PA or "clot buster" when asked: "Suppose you were having a stroke. Do you know of any medication your doctor could give you into the vein to increase your chance of recovering from a stroke?"-although 19% claimed to have heard of t-PA once it was mentioned to them. Despite numerous national stroke public awareness campaigns, public knowledge of stroke WS and RF has not improved over the last 5 years. In addition, knowledge of t-PA as a treatment for IS is extremely poor. Public awareness messages in the future should focus on the possibility of urgent treatments, in addition to stroke WS and RF, so the public can translate their knowledge into action and present to medical attention more quickly. This may be the highest yield approach to increasing rates of treatment of IS with t-PA.

Public Education Strategies to Increase Awareness of Stroke Warning Signs and the Need to Call 911

Rapid identification and treatment of ischemic stroke can lead to improved patient outcomes. We implemented a 20-week public education campaign to increase community awareness of warning signs for stroke and the need to call 911. Telephone surveys were conducted in adults aged 45 years and older before and after the intervention to evaluate its impact. There was a significant increase in awareness of two or more warning signs for stroke from baseline to follow-up (67% to 83%). Awareness increased significantly among both men and women and younger and older respondents. There was no significant change in the proportion of respondents indicating that they would call 911 if they witnessed someone having a stroke (74% to 76%). However, after the campaign, an increased proportion of respondents indicated that they would call 911 if they experienced sudden speech problems (51% to 58%), numbness or loss of sensation (41% to 51%), or paralysis (46% to 59%) that would not go away. Our findings suggest that a high-intensity public education campaign can increase community awareness of the warning signs for stroke and the need to call 911.

Public Perception of Stroke Warning Signs and Knowledge of Potential Risk Factors

Decreasing the time from stroke onset to hospital arrival and improving control of stroke risk factors depend on public knowledge of stroke warning signs and risk factors. To assess current public knowledge of stroke warning signs and risk factors. A population-based telephone interview survey using random digit dialing conducted in 1995. The Greater Cincinnati, Ohio, metropolitan area, the population of which is similar to that of the United States overall in age, sex, percentage of blacks, and economic status. Respondents with age, race, and sex that matched the population of patients with acute stroke. Knowledge of risk factors for stroke and warning signs of stroke as defined by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Telephone calls were made to 17634 households, which yielded 2642 demographically eligible individuals. Interviews were completed by 1880 respondents (response rate, 71.2%). A total of 1066 respondents (57%) correctly listed at least 1 of the 5 established stroke warning signs, and of all respondents, 1274 (68%) correctly listed at least 1 of the established stroke risk factors. Of the respondents, 469 (57%) of 818 respondents with a history of hypertension listed hypertension, 142 (35%) of 402 respondents who were current smokers listed smoking, and 32 (13%) of 255 respondents with diabetes listed diabetes as a risk factor for stroke. Compared with those younger than 75 years, respondents 75 years or older were less likely to correctly list at least 1 stroke warning sign (60% vs 47%, respectively; P<.001) and were less likely to list at least 1 stroke risk factor (72% vs 56%, respectively; P<.001). Considerable education is needed to increase the public's awareness of the warning signs and risk factors for stroke. Respondents with self-reported risk factors for stroke are largely unaware of their increased risk. The population at greatest risk for stroke, the very elderly, are the least knowledgeable about stroke warning signs and risk factors.