Stroke-related knowledge and attitudes among university students in Northeast Nigeria

te public knowledge of stroke, but the impact in Nigeria is notwell known. This study assessed stroke-related knowledge andattitudes among university students in Nigeria, where health stud-ies are parts of college curricula. This was a cross-sectional studyof students at three universities in Northeast Nigeria. Using ques-tionnaire survey, we assessed biographical data and participantknowledge of the primary site, warning signs and risk factors ofstroke. Responses were graded on a knowledge score, where ≥2.5points indicated adequate knowledge. Data were analyzed with theSPSS version 21 program. We studied 824 participants, 67.1%males. Males were older than females (mean age ± SD: 27.42±5.58years versus 26.27±5.31 years; P = 0.009; 95% CI: 0.29 ­ 1.99)and 14.5% participants had stroke lectures during general studies.Major sources of stroke knowledge were personal discussions(44.6%) and internet websites (24.5%). Only 15.7% participantscorrectly identified the brain as the primary site of stroke, whileknowledge of one or more stroke warning signs and risk factorswere noted in 42.2% and 49.6%, respectively. Mean knowledgescore was 1.08 ± 0.99. Adequate knowledge of stroke was noted in13.2% participants, and was higher in females (17.7% versus10.7%; P = 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed significantassociations between adequate knowledge of stroke with femalesex (OR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2 ­ 2.8; P = 0.008) and a history of strokein close relatives (OR 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1 ­ 2.6; P = 0.025) but notwith age, academic discipline or stroke lectures. University stu-dents in Northeast Nigeria have low knowledge of stroke, which isworse in males. Although health issues are taught at universities,little is taught on stroke, suggesting a need to prioritize strokeknowledge in the universities little is taught on stroke, suggeting a need to prioritize stroke knowlegde in the university curriculum .

Popular knowledge of stroke in São Paulo: a cross-sectional study within the World Stroke Campaign

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Stroke is the second leading cause of death in Brazil and the main cause of disability. Inability to identify alarm signals causes delays in seeking emergency services, thereby leading to a worse prognosis. OBJECTIVES: To assess the population's knowledge of how to recognize and prevent stroke. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective cross-sectional study on data derived from a questionnaire that was administered during the 2016 World Stroke Campaign, launched in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Data on 806 interviewees were evaluated using descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Among all the interviewees, 52.1% knew how to conceptualize stroke; 70.07% knew someone who had suffered a stroke; and 29.03% listed three or more risk factors. Only 27.5% mentioned controlling high blood pressure as a preventive measure. In the event of witnessing a stroke, 57.8% would call the emergency service and 2.9% would check the timing. Less educated individuals were 5.6 times more likely (95% confidence interval, CI 3.45-9.02) to have poor knowledge of stroke, compared with the more educated group. Knowing someone who had had a stroke reduced the chances of not knowing the terms relating to the disease (odds ratio, OR = 0.56; 95% CI 0.4-0.78). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the severity and prevalence of stroke, the population still has little information on this disease. In this context, the importance of mounting campaigns to improve prevention and treatment and to contribute to healthcare policies becomes evident.

Niveau de connaissance et conceptions d'une population urbaine au sud du Bénin sur les accidents vasculaires cérebraux / NA

Une meilleure connaissance sur les accidents vasculaires cérébraux (AVC) pourrait en améliorer la prévention. Objectif : Etudier le niveau de connaissance (NC) et la conception des sujets adultes de la ville de Cotonou, sur les AVC. Méthodologie : Il s'agit d'une étude transversale à visée descriptive et analytique, menée du 10 janvier au 27 avril 2018. L'échantillonnage était en grappes, ayant porté sur les sujets sans trouble psychiatrique connu, non professionnels de la santé et consentants à participer à l'étude dans cinq quartiers chacun de quatre arrondissements tirés au sort parmi les treize de la ville de Cotonou. Des propositions de réponses leur ont été faites concernant la définition, les manifestations, les facteurs de risque, la prévention, le traitement et le pronostic de l'AVC. De ces réponses aux questions, le NC des sujets a été catégorisé. Résultats : Il s'agissait de sujets scolarisés jusqu'au niveau universitaire (85,25%). Leur NC sur les AVC n'était pas bon (19,25%). Leurs sources d'informations sur les AVC étaient les médias (39,9%), parents et amis (34,3%). Leurs conceptions sur l'AVC étaient diverses : maladie dite spécifique aux riches (24,75%), aux adultes (20,75%) ; maladie due à la volonté de Dieu (17,75%), l'infidélité du (ou de la) conjoint(e) (8,75%), l'envoûtement (8,25%) ; maladie prévenue grâce à la foi en Dieu (30,5%), le respect des coutumes (10,5%) et traitée par les médicaments et tisanes (37%), les prières (33,75%). Les sujets avaient une attitude d'aide (80,8%), de compassion (67%) et de sympathie (63,5%) à l'endroit des victimes d'AVC. Le NC était associé à l'âge du sujet et sa capacité à identifier le cerveau comme organe affecté. Discussion-Conclusion : Des séances de communication pour un changement de comportement autour de l'AVC seront très utiles au Bénin.

Knowledge level and conceptions of an urban population in south of Benin about stroke Better knowledge about stroke could improve it prevention. Objective: To study the level of knowledge (LK) and the conception of adult subjects of Cotonou, on stroke. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study with a descriptive and analytical aim, carried out from January 10 to April 27, 2018. The sampling was in clusters, focused on subjects without known psychiatric disorder, non-health professionals and who consented to participate to the study in five areas for each of four districts drawn at random from the thirteen districts of Cotonou. Proposals answers were made to them concerning definition, manifestations, risk factors, prevention, treatment and prognosis of stroke. From these answers to questions, the LK of subjects was categorized. Results: These were subjects educated up to university level (85.25%). Their LK on stroke was not good (19.25%). Their sources of information about stroke were medias (39.9%), parents and friends (34.3%). Their views on stroke were diverse: disease known as specific to rich persons (24.75%), to adults (20.75%); illness due to the will of God (17.75%), infidelity of spouse (8.75%), bewitchment (8.25%); disease prevented by the faith in God (30.5%), respect for customs (10.5%) and treated with medicines and herbal teas (37%), prayers (33.75%). Subjects had an attitude of help (80.8%), compassion (67%) and sympathy (63.5%) to victims of stroke. LK was associated with subject's age and ability to identify brain as the affected organ. Discussion-Conclusion: Communication sessions for behavior change concerning stroke will be very useful in Ben

Effectiveness of an educational program on improving healthcare providers’ knowledge of acute stroke: A randomized block design study / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

@#BACKGROUND: Stroke is a time-sensitive neurological disease and a life-threatening medical condition. Providing timely management for stroke patients is a crucial issue in healthcare settings. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based educational program on healthcare providers’ (HCPs) overall knowledge of stroke. METHODS: A randomized block design with post-test only was used. A total of 189 HCPs (physicians, registered nurses, and paramedics) involved with treating stroke patients in the emergency were recruited. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention or waiting list control group. A one-session, stroke educational program was offered to the HCPs followed by a post-test designed to assess knowledge about stroke. RESULTS: A significant main effect on the profession type was found, with physicians having higher mean scores of stroke knowledge compared with nurses and paramedics (F [2, 183]=48.55, P<0.001). The implemented educational program had a positive effect on increasing the level of stroke knowledge among HCPs (F [1, 183]=43.31, P<0.001). The utilization of any evidence-based assessment tools for patients with suspected stroke was denied by 36% of the total sample. CONCLUSIONS: The implemented intervention can increase HCP’s knowledge regarding stroke. Stroke education should be considered as one of the essential requirements for professional development for all HCPs in the emergency.

Educational Effect on Prehospital Personnel for Prehospital Stroke Management

PURPOSE: If optimal neurologic recovery of stroke patients is to be achieved, thrombolysis and intervention must be initiated within hours from the onset of stroke symptoms. The prehospital personnel play a vital role in prehospital stroke management, including rapid recognition of stroke and rapid transport of the victim to the treating facility. The fact is, however, education and assessment of prehospital personnel's knowledge and practice in recognizing stroke are lacking. In this study, we assessed the prehospital personnel's knowledge of stroke; then, we performed an analysis to determine if that knowledge proved to have an impact on stroke management. METHODS: The study was conducted from March to August 2001 at 9 fire stations in Seoul and other regional areas, and included 164 prehospital personnel. In order to conduct a before-and-after comparative study, we first investigated the prehospital personnel's current knowledge of stroke; then, we administered our own educational training which was taught by an emergency physician. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-four prehospital personnel participated in the educational training program. Most of them (63.4%) were educated at the National Fire Academy. The most frequently listed stroke risk factor was hypertension (98.2%). The most frequently listed stroke symptom and sign was abnormal speech (91.5%). The level of knowledge about the prehospital stroke scale was very low (facial palsy: 10.8%, arm drift: 7.9%, dysarthria: 17.7%). Before the education, their knowledge about the definition of stroke, its risk factors, symptoms and signs, the goal of prehospital management, and the therapeutic window for thrombolysis was not satisfactory. However, there was a significant improvement after the education(p<0.001). The extent of knowledge about stroke varied with the characteristics of the prehospital personnel. The prehospital personnel's knowledge was relatively higher if they were EMP-P certified; from the Department of Emergency Medical Service; worked in Seoul; had been educated for stroke; or had been less than 2 years on the job. CONCLUSION: Presently, the prehospital personnel 's knowledge about prehospital stroke management has proven to be insufficient. However, there was a significant improvement in stroke knowledge after education by an emergency physician