Knowledge of stroke among stroke patients and their relatives in Northwest India.
BACKGROUND
The knowledge of warning symptoms and risk factors for stroke has not been studied among patients with stroke in developing countries.


OBJECTIVE
We aimed to assess the knowledge of stroke among patients with stroke and their relatives.


METHODS
Prospective tertiary referral hospital-based study in Northwest India.


METHODS
Trained nurses and medical interns interviewed patients with stroke and transient ischemic attack and their relatives about their knowledge of stroke symptoms and risk factors.


METHODS
Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used.


RESULTS
Of the 147 subjects interviewed, 102 (69%) were patients and 45 (31%) were relatives. There were 99 (67%) men and 48 (33%) women and the mean age was 59.7+/-14.1 years. Sixty-two percent of respondents recognized paralysis of one side as a warning symptom and 54% recognized hypertension as a risk factor for stroke. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, higher education was associated with the knowledge of correct organ involvement in stroke (OR 2.6, CI 1.1- 6.1, P =0.02), whereas younger age (OR 2.7, CI 1.1-7.0, P =0.04) and higher education (OR 4.1, CI 1.5-10.9, P =0.005) correlated with a better knowledge regarding warning symptoms of stroke.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study cohort, in general, there is lack of awareness of major warning symptoms, risk factors, organ involvement and self-recognition of stroke. However younger age and education status were associated with better knowledge. There is an urgent need for awareness programs about stroke in this study cohort.
Pandian
Jeyaraj Durai
JD
Department of Neurology, Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. jeyarajpandian@yahoo.co.in
Kalra
Guneet
G
Jaison
Ashish
A
Deepak
Sukhbinder Singh
SS
Shamsher
Shivali
S
Singh
Yashpal
Y
Abraham
George
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis