Trends in community knowledge of the warning signs and risk factors for stroke.
BACKGROUND
Poor public knowledge of stroke warning signs and risk factors limits effective stroke intervention and prevention.


OBJECTIVE
To examine temporal trends in public knowledge of stroke warning signs and risk factors.


METHODS
Population-based random-digit telephone survey conducted in July-November 2000 among individuals in the greater Cincinnati, Ohio, region.


METHODS
A total of 2173 survey respondents (69% response rate) were randomly identified based on their demographic similarities to the ischemic stroke population with regard to age, race, and sex.


METHODS
Spontaneous recall of at least 1 important stroke warning sign and 1 established stroke risk factor in comparison with findings from the same survey in 1995.


RESULTS
In 2000, 70% of respondents correctly named at least 1 established stroke warning sign vs 57% in 1995 (P<.001), and 72% correctly named at least 1 established stroke risk factor vs 68% in 1995. Groups of individuals with the highest risk and incidence of stroke, such as persons at least 75 years old, blacks, and men, were the least knowledgeable about warning signs and risk factors. Television was the most frequently cited source of knowledge, 32% in 2000 vs 24% in 1995 (P<.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Public knowledge of stroke warning signs within the greater Cincinnati region has significantly improved from 1995 to 2000, although knowledge of stroke risk factors did not improve significantly during the same time period. Public education efforts must continue and should focus on groups at the highest risk of stroke.
Schneider
Alexander T
AT
Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati, Medical Science Bldg No. 0525, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267, USA. schneiar@ucmail.uc.edu
Pancioli
Arthur M
AM
Khoury
Jane C
JC
Rademacher
Eric
E
Tuchfarber
Alfred
A
Miller
Rosemary
R
Woo
Daniel
D
Kissela
Brett
B
Broderick
Joseph P
JP
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D001364:Awareness; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D044465:White People