Knowledge and Attitude towards Stroke Risk Factors, Warning Symptoms and Treatment in an Iranian Population

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the baseline knowledge regarding stroke risk factors, symptoms, treatment and information resources in an Iranian urban population. Subjects and Methods: A community-based face-to-face interview survey was conducted in the Shiraz urban area in Iran. A total of 385 potential participants between the ages of 15 and 83 years were randomly selected from people referred to Motahari Clinic, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz. All the participants answered the 63 questions about different aspects of stroke. SPSS software version 15 was used to analyze the data. Results: The 385 participants completed the face-to-face interview. The most common risk factors for stroke identified by respondents were hypertension (342; 88.8%) and smoking (338; 87.8%). The most common warning signs of stroke were abdominal pain (370; 96.1%) and chest pain (338; 88.7%). Conclusion: This study shows that the knowledge of and attitude towards stroke risk factors in the general population of Shiraz are adequate. By using the public media and school education, it is possible to promote the level of the population’s knowledge of and attitude towards stroke.

Knowledge and Perception of Stroke: A Population-Based Survey in Uganda

“…The lack of information on risk factors and warning signs for stroke in our study was much higher than in other samples [10, 11, 20, 22]. While this knowledge gap is daunting, it also illuminates multiple potential opportunities to improve general knowledge especially among those at high risk for stroke and low level of education and help individuals in the future both reduce stroke risk and reduce complications should a stroke occur.…”

“…Following extensive literature search, the questionnaire was constructed and modified from research by Sug Yoon et al [20], Ayanniyi et al [9], Borhani Haghighi et al [11], and Akinyemi et al [6] to evaluate knowledge and perception of stroke in an Australian urban population, among adults in Osogbo, Nigeria, and Iranian population, among hospital workers in an African community, respectively. The questionnaire evaluated selected sociodemographic characteristics: perceptions of stroke, what they believe causes a stroke; planned response to a stroke event and concern about having a stroke; basic knowledge of stroke: organ affected, if stroke is preventable, recurrence of a stroke, and effect of stroke on daily activities; knowledge of stroke warning signs and risk factors; sources of information about stroke.…”

Hospital mortality associated with stroke in Southern Iran

“…12 Moreover, stroke awareness is lacking among most of the Iranian general population. 13 This can lead to the referral of stroke patients in late stages and increased mortality. Post-stroke care has been another issue which may 14 Unlike developed countries, nursing facilities are not available in Iran; consequently, most stroke survivors are discharged home.…”

Knowledge, attitude and practice of stroke in India versus other developed and developing countries

“…[1718] Studies conducted in developing countries have been limited in few countries such as Brazil, Iran, Oman, Pakistan and India across continents. [202122232425]…”

“…Discrepancies between studies depend to a great extent upon the type of interview: face-to-face interview[12162021232425] telephonic[1314151718] or postal surveys;[19] upon the type of questionnaires employed: open-ended[1214162124] combination of open and closed-ended questionnaires[132025] or ticking potential responses/multiple-choice-questions[19] and simple questions testing the knowledge of the respondent. [15171825]…”