title: Awareness of risk factors and warning signs of stroke in a Nigeria university.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rapid access to medical services which is an important predictor of treatment and rehabilitation outcome requires that there is an understanding of stroke risk factors and early warning signs. This study assessed awareness of stroke risk factors and warning signs among students and staff of Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross sectional survey involving 994 (500 students and 494 staff) respondents. Information on the awareness of stroke risk factors and warning signs was collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Weakness (66.2%) was the most commonly identified warning sign of stroke with more staff (69.8%) identifying correctly than students (62.6%). Hypertension (83.4%) was the most commonly identified stroke risk factor, with more staff (91.7%) identifying correctly than students (83.2%). There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the awareness of some risk factors (age, hypertension, stress and obesity), and warning signs (dizziness, numbness, weakness, headache and vision problems) between students and staff. Predictors for adequate awareness of both stroke risk factors and warning signs were younger age, smoking history and higher educational level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Majority of the respondents recognized individual important stroke risk factors and warning signs, but few recognized multiple stroke risk factors and warning signs. Awareness programs on stroke should be organized, even in communities with educated people to increase public awareness on the prevention of stroke and on the reduction of morbidity in the survivors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Electronic address: bimpy248@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Adebimpe O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Obembe
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria; Physiotherapy Unit, Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Matthew O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Olaogun
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adesola A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Bamikole
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria; Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Morenikeji A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Komolafe
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Unit, Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Marufat O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Odetunde
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D004522:Educational Status; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Nigeria; Stroke; awareness; rehabilitation; risk factors; warning signs