Effect of an educational intervention on knowledge and perception of individuals at risk for stroke in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of an educational program on the knowledge and perception of stroke in individuals at risk. METHODS: This quasi experiment study, conducted in Health Education Clinics at King Salman Armed Forces Hospital, was designed to assess the knowledge of people who were at risk for stroke, before and after delivering educational content. This content comprised 4-minute face-to-face explanation by a trained educator, 99-second video clip and a short hand-out. The assessment was performed by administering a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 313 people participated in this study. Before the intervention, 63.6% understood stroke to be due to a disturbance in blood flow resulting in loss of brain function. After delivery of the educational content, the percentage raised to 97.1%. Thirty-Four and Eight percent (109) of participants stated they knew stroke symptoms, and 55.96% knew 2 to 4 symptoms prior to intervention. Our educational content raised these percentages to 98.4% and 79.8% respectively. Good knowledge of stroke symptoms and risk factors was associated with younger age and higher level of education. CONCLUSION: Educational content by means of one-to-one interaction with trained educators, video clips and handouts results in significant improvement in understanding of stroke symptoms and risk factors among at-risk participants.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of health care practitioners in Saudi Arabia, with regard to prevention of vitamin D deficiency in infancy.

OBJECTIVES: To understand the knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare practitioners in Saudi Arabia, with regard to vitamin D supplementation. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare practitioners in the Tabuk region of Saudi Arabia between January 2015 and December 2016. A questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitude and practice with regard to prevention of vitamin D deficiency was distributed to 100 healthcare practitioners. RESULTS: There was a good understanding of the importance of vitamin D deficiency; and overall practices were good. The average knowledge score was 4.75/8 (range 2-7), largely due to 85% of recipients identifying sun exposure between 6-7 am as the optimal time.  There was a lack of understanding also, that as little as 10 minutes exposure is of benefit. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the need for distribution of the recommendations for vitamin D supplementation in KSA, as widely as possible.  This study suggests that healthcare practitioners understand the importance of correction of vitamin D deficiency.  Deficiencies in knowledge with regard to sun exposure were identified.  Dissemination of this information is, therefore, likely to impact significantly on the practice of a receptive clinical population.