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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
The level of awareness of stroke risk factors and symptoms in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: Gulf Cooperation Council stroke awareness study
Neuroepidemiology, Volume 29, No. 3-4, Year 2008
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Description
Objective: To assess the knowledge of stroke in the general public in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Background: The Arabian Gulf is a rapidly developing part of the world with major changes in the lifestyle that can increase the risk of stroke. To design effective stroke treatment and prevention strategies, an assessment of the public knowledge of stroke is required. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based survey was conducted at primary health care centers (PHCs), in urban and semi-urban areas, of the GCC countries (Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman) on the level of stroke awareness in the general public. Health care workers completed 3,750 face-to-face interviews. Results: 1,089 (29.0%) were familiar with the term 'stroke', and 29.3% considered the age group 30-50 at the highest risk for stroke. The commonest risk factors identified were hypertension (23.1%) and smoking (27.3%). People who did not know the term stroke had a higher incidence of diabetes, hypertension, and had more than one risk factor (p < 0.05). The most frequently identified stroke symptoms were weakness (23%) and speech problems (21.7%). Of those who recognized stroke, blockage of blood vessels was identified as the commonest cause of stroke (22%) followed by tension/worrying (20%). Doctors and nurses were regarded as the best source of stroke information (70%). In the univariate comparison, younger age (p < 0.001), higher level of education (p < 0.001), and female gender (p = 0.008) better predicted stroke recognition. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the level of education, monthly income and smoking were independent variables predicting stroke knowledge. Conclusion: The majority of the patients had not even heard the term stroke. Stroke knowledge was poorest among the groups that were at the highest risk for stroke. Stroke education has to focus on the high-risk groups, particularly the younger population. The health care workers at the PHCs and hospitals will need instructions on providing stroke information to the public. The level of knowledge of stroke risk factors and symptoms emphasizes the need for stroke education efforts in the community. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG.
Authors & Co-Authors
Kamran, Saadat
Qatar, Doha
Hamad General Hospital
Bener, Abdülbari
Qatar, Doha
Hamad General Hospital
Deleu, Dirk
Qatar, Doha
Hamad General Hospital
Khoja, Waleed A.
Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
Riyadh Military Hospital
Jumma, M.
Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences
Al Shubali, A.
Kuwait, Safat
Ibn Sina Hospital Safat
Inshashi, J.
United Arab Emirates, Dubai
Rashid Hospital
Sharouqi, I.
Unknown Affiliation
Al Khabouri, J.
Oman, Muscat
Royal Hospital
Statistics
Citations: 101
Authors: 9
Affiliations: 6
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1159/000112856
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Noncommunicable Diseases
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Cohort Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Participants Gender
Female