title: Public stroke awareness and intent to call 112 in Sweden.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recognition of stroke symptoms and activation of emergency services are essential in minimizing delay for acute stroke treatments. In this study, we assessed public stroke awareness in Sweden.
  
  
  METHODS
  One thousand and five hundred residents aged 18-79 years participated in a telephone survey. Open-ended questions were used to assess knowledge of stroke symptoms, risk factors, and action if witnessing or experiencing a potential stroke.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-two percentage could report at least one stroke symptom and 86% at least one risk factor. Only 13% could report three or more stroke symptoms. Female sex (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.30-2.45) and high education (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.38-3.80) were associated with knowledge of stroke symptoms. Sixty-five percentage indicated they would call the emergency number 112 if witnessing or experiencing a potential stroke. Female sex (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.18-1.85) and high education (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.01-1.93) were positively associated, while increasing age (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-0.99) was negatively associated with intent to call 112.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We confirm a rather low public awareness of stroke in Sweden, poorer among males and those with low education. With increasing age, a lower proportion indicated intent to call 112 for stroke symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nordanstig
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jood
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rosengren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: national survey; public awareness; stroke