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

Abstract

Purpose This study, designed to complement a large population survey on prevalence of stroke risk factors, assessed knowledge and perception of stroke and associated factors. Methods A population survey was conducted in urban Nansana and rural Busukuma, Wakiso district, central Uganda. Adult participants selected by multistage stratified sampling were interviewed about selected aspects of stroke knowledge and perception in a pretested structured questionnaire. Results There were 1616 participants (71.8% urban; 68.4% female; mean age: 39.6 years ± 15.3). Nearly 3/4 did not know any stroke risk factors and warning signs or recognize the brain as the organ affected. Going to hospital (85.2%) was their most preferred response to a stroke event. Visiting herbalists/traditional healers was preferred by less than 1%. At multivariable logistic regression, good knowledge of stroke warning signs and risk factors was associated with tertiary level of education (OR 4.29, 95% CI 2.13–8.62 and OR 5.96, 95% CI 2.94–12.06), resp.) and self-reported diabetes (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.18–3.32 and OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.04–3.25), resp.). Conclusion Knowledge about stroke in Uganda is poor although the planned response to a stroke event was adequate. Educational strategies to increase stroke knowledge are urgently needed as a prelude to developing preventive programmes.

Association between stroke knowledge, stroke awareness, and preventive behaviors among older people: A cross‐sectional study

“…This was consistent with a study done in Khon Kaen, Thailand (Jirapornkul et al, ), which demonstrated a high level of stroke knowledge among people in suburban communities. However, our findings were not consistent with previous studies conducted in other countries (El Sherbiny, Abdel Ghaffar, & El‐Mously, ; Hickey et al, ; Nakibuuka et al, ; Zeng et al, ), which found a lack of stroke knowledge among the study populations. In this study, although older people with and without high risk of stroke were different in terms of comorbidities, the stroke‐preventive behaviors in both groups were at similarly high levels.…”

Effect of an educational intervention on knowledge and perception of individuals at risk for stroke in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

“…10 However, multiple studies in Uganda, Oman and India found that only a minority of their participants were able to identify the brain as the organ affected by stroke. 4,11,12 Post intervention, 98.1% )n=307( of participants pointed to the brain as the affected organ by stroke and 97.1% )n=304( explained the mechanism of stroke ( Table 2).…”

“…These results are similar to previous studies. 4,10,11,12 After using the FAST approach in the educational session, )306( 97.8% of participants chose to go to the hospital immediately or would call an ambulance in case they recognized a stroke event.…”

“…Sample size of 397 participants was calculated by using 95% confidence level, 5% absolute precision and by taking expected percentage of good knowledge of stroke as 70% respectively. 4 The interview between the health educator and participant assessed perception of stroke and knowledge of its risk factors by using a standardized questionnaire described below. This was followed by delivery of educational material on stroke to the participant over a period of 5 to 7 minutes by the educator.…”

The Effect of Educational Program for High Risk People about Stroke Prevention

“…Interruption of circulation leads to tissue death, as manifested by clinical signs and abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging that are characteristic of ischemia (3) .According the extent and location of damage to brain tissue, stroke mayalso affect individuals' physical, mental,psychological and social functioning (4) .The main clinical manifestations areinability to move, aphasiaor dysphagia, vision alterations, mental changes, headache, numbness or tingling and dizziness or weakness . (5) More than half of all strokes are preventable, understanding of individuals their personal risk factor/ factors could lead to improve controlling of modifiable risk factors and reduced incidence of stroke . (6) Although the risk factors for a stroke are preventable and/or controllable, the public awareness of these risk factors is low.Smoking,hypertension, heart disease, high cholesterollevel ,obesity, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, use of oral contraceptives,excess alcohol intake, and stress are the main modifiable risk factors for strokes .…”