title: Knowledge of stroke among a Brazilian urban population.
abstract: Knowledge of the population in regards to stroke has clinical and epidemiological importance. Prompt identification of the symptoms means efficient medical attendance within the window of therapeutic opportunities reducing significantly the morbidity-mortality. Our aim was to evaluate the level of knowledge of the population of Teresina (PI) concerning factors of risk, symptoms and treatment of stroke. The door-to-door study was carried out by means of a standardized application of questionnaire on risk factors, symptoms and attitude when faced with a stroke victim. 991 forms were selected. Factors of risk more cited were hypertension identified by 416 [42.0%] and hyperlipidemia 284 [28.7%]. The most remembered symptoms were headache 277 [28.0%] and hemiplegia 219 [22.1%]. 375 (37.8%) respondents were unable to identify any risk factors and and 410 (41.4%) any symptom. The lack of knowledge of the population of Teresina in relation to stroke reflects the need for intervention through public and professional educational campaigns.
authors: Departamento de Medicina Especializada, Clínica Neurológica, Hospital Getúlio Vargas, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brazil. nonatocampus@globo.com
authors: Raimundo Nonato
authors: RN
authors: Campos-Sousa
authors: Vítor Yamashiro Rocha
authors: VY
authors: Soares
authors: Kelson James Silva
authors: KJ
authors: Almeida
authors: Lorena Ibiapina Mendes de
authors: LI
authors: Carvalho
authors: Kelson Sousa
authors: KS
authors: Jacobina
authors: Arnaldo Escórcio
authors: AE
authors: Athayde Netto
authors: Eduardo de Almeida
authors: Ede A
authors: Macêdo
authors: Lorenna Andrade
authors: LA
authors: Veloso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D014505:Urban Population