Beliefs and Perception of Stroke among Adult Inhabitants of Calabar South Local Government Area, Cross River State-Nigeria (original) (raw)
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Assessment of Stroke Awareness Among Public Servants in a Study Population in Nigeria
Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research, 2018
This study aimed at assessing the degree of awareness of stroke among the public servants in Benin City, Edo State. Specific objectives included assessment of knowledge of the definition; signs and symptoms; risk factors; prevention and treatment of stroke. A cross-sectional study involving public servants using a self-administered questionnaire. The respondents were randomly selected from the Edo state civil service. The questionnairewas subdivided into Sociodemographic and questions of multiple choices to identify the definition of stroke, signs and symptoms and the risk factors of stroke. Data analysis was done using the SPSS Software version 16 for frequencies, percentages, Chi square and logistic regression. A level of significance of 0.05 was applied. Ethical considerations were observed. This study reported a 96.2% response rate, 53.8% were citizens of Edo State, and only 17% were older than 47 years. Male respondents accounted for 53% of the sample. More than 56% had educational qualification higher than secondary school. Less than 1% experienced a previous stroke, and a relatively high proportion (84.1%) knew someone who suffered from stroke. The most recognized symptoms were speech problems and weakness/numbness of the arms/legs. About 35.5% knew that the brain is the organ involved in stroke while 89.9% acknowledged the fact that high blood pressure is the major risk factor of stroke. No independent variable had true effect on knowledge. We concluded from the study that there are serious gaps in knowledge regarding stroke; an educational program on stroke in this State will be beneficial.
Knowledge and perception of stroke amongst hospital workers in an African community
European Journal of Neurology, 2009
Background and purpose: Stroke is a growing public health problem worldwide. Hospital workers are sources of knowledge on health issues including stroke. The present study aimed at assessing the knowledge and perception of a sample of Nigerian hospital workers about stroke.Methods: Hospital-based, cross-sectional survey. Respondents selected by systematic random sampling were interviewed using a 29-item pre-tested, structured, semi-closed questionnaire.Results: There were 370 respondents (63% female, mean age: 34.4 ± 7.5 years; 61% non-clinical workers). Twenty-nine per cent of respondents did not recognize the brain as the organ affected. Hypertension (88.6%) was the commonest risk factor identified; 13.8% identified evil spirit/witchcraft as a cause of stroke, whilst one-sided body weakness (61.9%) was most commonly identified as warning symptom. Hospital treatment was most preferred by 61.1% of respondents whilst spiritual healing was most preferred by 13.0%. In the bivariate analysis, higher level of education and being a clinical worker correlated with better stroke knowledge (P < 0.001).Conclusion: This study demonstrates gaps in the knowledge of these hospital workers about stroke, and treatment choice influenced by cultural and religious beliefs. Health education is still important, even, amongst health workers and stroke awareness campaigns may need to involve faith-based organizations.
To investigate associations between knowledge and belief stroke and pathways to healthcare adopted by Nigerian stroke survivors. Method: This study involved 150 stroke survivors receiving care in secondary and tertiary health institutions in Lagos, Nigeria. All patients consented and their information was captured using validated key informal interview guide. The information was analyzed qualitatively. The data were summarized using descriptive statistics and analysed using Chi-square (p<0.05). Results: Of the 150 patients interviewed, 143 (95.33%) responses were valid for analysis. Sixty-four (44.8%) said the symptoms of stroke is weakness or paralysis, 1and 7 said chest pain, dizziness/slurred speech respectively while 38 had no knowledge. Thirty-nine (27.3%) said stroke is caused by high blood pressure while 20, 22, 5 and 5 said excessive thinking, stress, hereditary and spiritual attack respectively while 32 had no clue. At stroke onset, 5(3.5%) went to patent medicine stores for treatment while 27 and 111 went to traditional/religious healers and orthodox hospitals respectively. There was significant association between their knowledge and belief and choice of healthcare. There was significant association between religion belief, cultural belief, education and income and choice of healthcare. Conclusion: Nigeria stroke survivors had poor knowledge of stroke; some believed stroke is a spiritual attack and went to alternative healthcare for treatment. Private hospitals are mostly patronized for stroke treatment among Nigerian. There is significant association between knowledge and belief and choice of healthcare among Nigeria stroke survivors. There is significant association between religion and culture beliefs, education and income and choice of healthcare among them.
Knowledge and Perception of Stroke: A Population-Based Survey in Uganda
ISRN Stroke, 2014
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 O...
Background: There are many misconceptions or wrong belief about stroke. These wrong beliefs are held by non-health care professionals due to their little understanding and awareness about stroke. The aim of this study is to assess the level of right beliefs about stroke and its associated factors among private primary school teachers from Faith Standard Primary School, Ile Ife, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design using 27-item, self-administered questionnaires to collect information on level of right beliefs about stroke among the respondents. Data were analyzed and presented using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 29 private primary school teachers from Faith Standard School, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria with 13.8% males and 86.2% females took part in this study. The overall stroke belief score obtained was 68.28 ± 18.09. Among all the sociodemographic variables considered in this study, statistical significant relationship was found only between marital status and the mean stroke belief scores (F (2, 26) = 7.655; P= 0.02). Also, 25.58%, 65.52% and 6.90% of the respondents have high, moderate and low level of right beliefs about stroke respectively. Conclusions: There is moderate level of right beliefs about stroke among the private primary school teachers from Faith standard primary school, Ile Ife. Therefore, there is still need for public health education on right beliefs about stroke to correct some misconceptions (wrong notions) held about stroke beliefs among them.
Awareness of the risk factors of stroke
2021
Background: The prevalence of stroke is increasing in Nigeria due to a lack of awareness of their predisposing factors. There is therefore a need for good knowledge and awareness of stroke risk factors in the general populations. Thus, this study assessed the level of awareness of stroke risk factors among non-teaching staff in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nigeria. Results: Most of the participants were female, 89 (69%), and had a post-graduate degree, 84 (65.1%). A total of 129 participants participated in this survey, and 91 (70.5%) were familiar with the term “stroke.” The commonest risk factors were high blood pressure (86%), stress (74.4%), and lack of exercise (63.6%). The study showed that the awareness of stroke risk factors among the participants was poor (40.3%). Conclusion: Stroke awareness was poor among the participants with the highest risk of stroke despite their high literacy level. Female participants, with a postgraduate level qualification and working ...
Research Square (Research Square), 2022
Background: Increasing the level of knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs among individuals at high risk for stroke may empower them for positive health actions. Aim: This study assessed the knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs among individuals at increased risk and the association between these knowledge levels and some of the participants' demographics. Method: This study was a cross-sectional survey of one hundred and forty-six individuals (mean age= 53.16±17.66 years) at high risk for stroke from some selected communities in Nnewi North and South Local Government Areas, Anambra State. A self-developed questionnaire was used to measure the participants' knowledge level. Data Analysis: Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviation while inferential statistics of Chi-square and Spearman rankorder correlation were used for testing the hypotheses at 0.05 alpha-level. Result: Participants' were mostly males 98 (65.07%), married, and gainfully employed (67.1%) and had at least a secondary level education (76.7%). About half of the participants had poor knowledge of stroke risk factors (52.05%) and warning signs (49.32%) despite their high literacy level. Being a male participant with a tertiary level of education and working in the public or private sector was associated with a better knowledge level (p≤0.05). No signi cant association existed between the age and marital status of the individuals. Knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs was poor for many in the sampled population particularly those with little or no education and those who are either unemployed or self-employed. Efforts should be made to increase the level of awareness among these groups of highrisk individuals through stroke awareness campaigns, which may empower them for positive health actions toward stroke prevention. Background Of The Study Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and permanent disability globally, representing a huge public health concern, because of its high morbidity and long-term disability [1]. The World Health Organization estimated that by the year 2030, 80% of all strokes will occur in low and middle-income countries like Nigeria [2]. Awareness of stroke risk factors and warning signs is important for stroke prevention and seeking care [3]. Stroke has many risk factors which are attributes that increase one's vulnerability to a disease condition. These risk factors can be modi able and non-modi able. The risk factors for stroke include age, heredity, race, sex, prior stroke, heart attack, transient ischaemic attack, sickle cell disease, alcohol, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, and many others American Heart Association [4]. Variables like gender, age, and educational level in uence the knowledge of risk factors, warning signs, and the occurrence of stroke. Detection and more effective treatment of risk factors as well as improved acute medical care and improvement in diagnostic procedures may play an important role in primary
In managing stroke, appropriate knowledge and awareness of stroke symptom and warning signs would lead to early interventions since time of presentation to the hospital is critical to the outcome of the patient. In developing countries like Nigeria the inability of patients to access medical care remains a major barrier to acute stroke therapy with the longest phase of delay coming from the time stroke warning symptom and sign occur, and the subsequent decision to seek medical attention and final arrival to the hospital. This study was designed to assess the level of knowledge and awareness among patient and patient caregiver for those with stroke in a tertiary Health care facility in Abuja. It is a descriptive cross sectional study of 182 patients with a structured questionnaire administered to consecutive patient admitted into the medical wards and their relatives. Statistical analysis was done using Analyse-it v4.5 statistical software. Majority of the respondents considered High blood pressure (93%) as the risk factor for stroke. Weakness of face/arm/leg (84%) is most known warning sign for stroke by respondents. When respondents were asked why people do not recognize and respond to symptom; lack of knowledge/Ignorant of symptom accounted for 71% of the respondents.The study showed that predictors of good knowledge of risk factors among respondents found on multivariate analysis were educational level and past history of stroke. In conclusion, the key highlight of our study is the need to increasing public awareness and patient education about stroke warning symptoms/signs as well as need to reduce pre-hospital delay and early referral for stroke care.
Awareness of stroke risk factors, signs and treatment in a Pakistani population
2009
To assess the level of awareness in the general public on risk factors, symptomatology and immediate treatment of stroke. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted in a sample of subjects visiting a tertiary care university hospital by means of a self-designed questionnaire. The study period extended between May and June, 2007. Results: A total of 398 individuals were surveyed. Hypertension (69.1%) and stress (55.8%) were identified as two major risk factors for stroke. Among them 50.8% identified "Brain" as the principal organ involved in stroke out of which 78.2% of the response came from people whose level of education was intermediate-and-above. Around 13% of the study respondents did not know of any risk factor for stroke, while 11.6% of the study respondents didn't know about the alarming signs of stroke. The most frequent response (26.16%) to immediate management of stroke was to take the individual to Emergency Department/hospital. In all 56% reported that basic information about stroke was given to them by friend/relative.