Publication:

Awareness of stroke warning signs, risk factors and response to stroke: a hospital based survey

Background Stroke is the third most common cause of mortality and a significant cause of disability in India. Knowledge about stroke risk factors, warning signs and appropriate response to stroke are important to reduce the morbidity. Aim was to evaluate the awareness and response to stroke among the public.

Methods In this prospective, observational study, stroke awareness questioner was administered to 105 participants, who were relatives of patients without history of stroke attending the outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital.

Results The mean age of the study participants was 49.7±11.9 years (range 24-69years) with 46 (44%) women. Thirty six percent of the subjects recognized brain as the affected organ in stroke. The common risk factors identified by the participants were diabetes mellitus in 30 (28.6%), hypertension in 27 (25.7%), high cholesterol in 15 (14.3%). Commonly identified warning signs were paralysis of one side of the body (56; 53%), deviation of mouth (21; 20%), speech impairment (17; 16%). On having/seeing a warning sign, 27 (25.7%) replied the appropriate response of rushing to emergency department of a hospital. Eleven (10.5%) were aware of clot lysis as the treatment for stroke and 9 (8.7%) the availability of this treatment at free of cost in Government hospitals in Tamil Nadu. Five (4.8%) participants responded that they should rush to hospital within the golden hour.

Conclusions Knowledge about organ involved, etiology, and response to stroke warning signs are lacking and continuous education programs are necessary to improve the public awareness.