Knowledge of stroke among a Brazilian urban population.
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.
Campos-Sousa
Raimundo Nonato
RN
Departamento de Medicina Especializada, Clínica Neurológica, Hospital Getúlio Vargas, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brazil. nonatocampus@globo.com
Soares
Vítor Yamashiro Rocha
VY
Almeida
Kelson James Silva
KJ
Carvalho
Lorena Ibiapina Mendes de
LI
Jacobina
Kelson Sousa
KS
Athayde Netto
Arnaldo Escórcio
AE
Macêdo
Eduardo de Almeida
Ede A
Veloso
Lorenna Andrade
LA
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