Awareness of stroke risk factors and warning symptoms amongst hypertensive patients in Benin city

ABSTRACT

Background: Hypertension is the most important modifiable risk factor for stroke. Satisfactory participation in stroke preventive measures depends on stroke knowledge. The aim of this study was to determine the level of stroke awareness amongst hypertensive patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study with one hundred and forty-four hypertensive patients consecutively recruited and interviewed for stroke awareness. Six variables, age, gender, educational status, marital status, socio-economic status, and blood pressure recording were included in three multiple logistic regression models. The dependent variables were knowledge of organ affected, knowledge of risk factors and warning symptoms of stroke. Results: The male sex and increased educational status were predictive of good stroke awareness, while increasing age and poor blood pressure control are predictive of poor stroke awareness. Conclusion: The older hypertensive patient whose blood pressure is uncontrolled is at significant risk for stroke, but unfortunately has poor awareness of stroke. This group should be a target for stroke knowledge campaign