Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Toward Stroke Prevention And Associated Factors Among Hypertensive Patients Attending At Debre Markos And Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022.

Abstract

Background: Hypertension causes narrowing, rupture, or leakage of blood vessels. This causes stroke by interrupting the blood flow to the brain. The prevalence, incidence, and disability of stroke have surged due to poor knowledge, poor practices, and unfavorable attitudes toward stroke prevention. Awareness of the problem, good prevention practices, and a favorable attitudes toward prevention mechanisms are the milestones to prevent stroke among hypertensive patients. Objective: This study was aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to stroke prevention and associated factors among hypertensive patients attending at Debre Markos and Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022. Method: A cross-sectional study design was conducted at Debre Markos and Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, Chronic Illness Follow-up Clinic from June 01 to July 11, 2022. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 423 study participants. The data were collected using pretested and structured questionnaires through face-to-face exit interviews and chart reviews. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 software. The associations between explanatory variables and outcome variables were analyzed by using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: The findings of this study showed that 48.9% (95% CI: 44.0-53.8), 45.3% (95% CI: 40.4-50.2), and 44.1% (95% CI: 39.3-49.0) of the participants had good knowledge, favorable attitudes, and good practices respectively. The factors associated with good stroke prevention knowledge included urban residence (AOR=1.96 (1.22-3.15)), primary education (AOR=3.67 (1.56-8.61)) or secondary education and above (AOR=2.42 (1.47-3.99)), having monthly income ≥ 5000 Ethiopian birr (AOR=2.59 (1.38-4.87)), prior information about stroke (AOR=2.29 (1.33-3.96)) and strong social support (AOR=3.09 (1.73-5.54)). Similarly, having monthly income ≥ 5000 Ethiopian birr (AOR=2.05 (1.26-3.35)), moderate (AOR=1.76 (1.03-3.03)) and strong social support (AOR=2.27 (1.3-3.96)) and diabetes mellitus comorbidity (AOR=5.8: 95% CI= 3.62-9.31)) were significantly associated with good stroke prevention practices. On the other hand, duration of treatment (AOR=1.68 (1.08-2.59)) was a statistically and positively associated factor with a favorable attitude toward stroke prevention. Conclusion and recommendation: Nearly half of the respondents had good knowledge of stroke prevention and four out of nine participants had favorable attitudes toward stroke prevention and good prevention practices. Health care workers should dessiminate information for hypertensive patients early in their appointment to enhance their knowledge, attitudes and practices toward stroke prevention. Families , friends, neighbors, and the communities at large should support and encourage hypertensive patients to engage in stroke prevention practices.