Stroke-related knowledge among uninsured Latino immigrants in Durham County, North Carolina.
BACKGROUND
Knowledge of stroke risk factors and symptoms is a necessary prerequisite for improving prevention and reducing treatment delays. Little is known about stroke-related knowledge among the US immigrant Latino population.


METHODS
A previously published stroke knowledge survey was translated into Spanish and administered orally to a convenience sample of 76 Latino Spanish-speaking clients of a community-based health care management program for uninsured residents of Durham County, North Carolina, between January and March 2007.


RESULTS
Of respondents, 81% could not correctly name a single stroke risk factor, 57% could not correctly identify a stroke symptom, and only 45% said they would telephone emergency services (dial 9-1-1), call an ambulance, or go to a hospital if they or a family member were having a stroke. However, 80% of respondents knew that a stroke could be prevented, and 86% knew that a stroke could be treated.


CONCLUSIONS
Stroke-related knowledge may be particularly poor in the uninsured Latino immigrant population. Novel approaches will be needed to improve awareness and prevention in this high-risk group.
Department of Medicine (Neurology), Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA. golds004@mc.duke.edu
Larry B
LB
Goldstein
Mina
M
Silberberg
Yvette
Y
McMiller
Susan D
SD
Yaggy
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D007843:Latin America / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone; D055815:Young Adult