Calling 911 in response to stroke: a nationwide study assessing definitive individual behavior.
OBJECTIVE
Stroke treatment is time-dependent, yet no study has systematically examined response to individual stroke symptoms in the general population. This nationwide study identifies which specific factors prompt correct response (calling 911) to stroke.


METHODS
Between November and December of 2005, a survey using a 3-stage random-sampling method including area, household, and household member sampling was conducted throughout the Czech Republic. Participants >40 years old were personally interviewed via a structured and standardized questionnaire concerning general knowledge and correct response to stroke as assessed by the Stroke Action Test (STAT). Predictors of scoring >50% on STAT were identified by multiple regression.


RESULTS
A total of 650 households were contacted, yielding 592 interviews (response rate 91%). Mean age was 58+/-12, 55% women. Sixty-nine percent thought stroke was serious condition, and 57% thought it could be treated. Also 54% correctly named >/=2 risk factors, and 46% named >/=2 warning signs. Eighteen percent of respondents scored >50% on STAT. The predictors of such a score were age (for each 10-year increment, OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.7), secondary school education (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.6), knowing that stroke is a serious disease (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.1), and knowing that stroke is treatable (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.2).


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge about stroke in the Czech Republic was fair, yet response to warning signs was poor. Our study is the first to identify that calling 911 was influenced by knowledge that stroke is a serious and treatable disease and not by recognition of symptoms.
Mikulík
Robert
R
Department of Neurology, Masaryk University, St. Anne University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 656 91, Brno, Czech Republic. mikulik@hotmail.com
Bunt
Laura
L
Hrdlicka
Daniel
D
Dusek
Ladislav
L
Václavík
Daniel
D
Kryza
Jirí
J
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D018153:Czech Republic; D004522:Educational Status; D004631:Emergency Medical Service Communication Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends