title: Selecting the target and the message for a stroke public education campaign: a local survey conducted by neurologists.
abstract: In order to determine the baseline knowledge of stroke among population (terminology, signs and symptoms, risk factors (RF) and attitude) to select the best target and message, prior to educational campaigns, a structured interview using close-ended questions was conducted by neurologists among 1000 users of several Primary Health Centers around our Hospital, randomly sampled. In our population 10.1% totally ignores the disease; of the remainder, 50% has a good knowledge of signs and symptoms and 37% of RF. To be a woman, (OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.2-2.5), the university education (OR: 6.6; 95% CI: 3.0-14.7), the age between 45 and 65 years (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.3-5.0) and to have an afflicted relative (OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.001-2.0) are associated with a better stroke knowledge. If symptoms are transient, there is a trend to contact primary physicians (43.5%). Less than a quarter of our population have a good knowledge of the disease. Stroke is considered an emergency unlike TIA. The benefits of public education and the best message for each target population are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Cerebrovascular Unit, Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Montaner
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vidal
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Sabin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires