Awareness of stroke risk factors and warning signs in southern Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the knowledge about stroke in Caxias do Sul.


METHODS
A closed-ended, self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge about stroke among residents of Caxias do Sul. In order to verify variables associated to lack of knowledge we defined three main end points: (1) the inability to recognize that stroke is a disease that affects the brain; (2) insufficient knowledge of risk factors; (3) insufficient knowledge of signs and symptoms of acute stroke.


RESULTS
A total of 952 subjects answered the questionnaire. Lower income and lower educational level were independent factors associated to inability to recognize that stroke affects the brain. Lower income and being under 50 years old were independent risk factors to lack of knowledge concerning stroke risk factors. Lower educational level was the unique risk factor for insufficient knowledge about stroke warning signs.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a lack of knowledge about stroke in Caxias do Sul. People with lower socioeconomic status and lower education level should be the targets of educational campaigns.
Falavigna
Asdrubal
A
Liga Acadêmica Multidisciplinar de Neurologia e Neurocirurgia, University of Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil. asdrubal@doctor.com
Teles
Alisson Roberto
AR
Vedana
Viviane Maria
VM
Kleber
Fabrício Diniz
FD
Mosena
Gabriela
G
Velho
Maíra Cristina
MC
Mazzocchin
Thaís
T
Silva
Roberta Castilhos da
RC
Lucena
Luzia Fernanda
LF
Santin
Juliana Tosetto
JT
Roth
Felipe
F
D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult