title: Knowledge and Perception of Stroke: A Population-Based Survey in Uganda.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study, designed to complement a large population survey on prevalence of stroke risk factors, assessed knowledge and perception of stroke and associated factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population survey was conducted in urban Nansana and rural Busukuma, Wakiso district, central Uganda. Adult participants selected by multistage stratified sampling were interviewed about selected aspects of stroke knowledge and perception in a pretested structured questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 1616 participants (71.8% urban; 68.4% female; mean age: 39.6 years ± 15.3). Nearly 3/4 did not know any stroke risk factors and warning signs or recognize the brain as the organ affected. Going to hospital (85.2%) was their most preferred response to a stroke event. Visiting herbalists/traditional healers was preferred by less than 1%. At multivariable logistic regression, good knowledge of stroke warning signs and risk factors was associated with tertiary level of education (OR 4.29, 95% CI 2.13-8.62 and OR 5.96, 95% CI 2.94-12.06), resp.) and self-reported diabetes (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.18-3.32 and OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.04-3.25), resp.).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge about stroke in Uganda is poor although the planned response to a stroke event was adequate. Educational strategies to increase stroke knowledge are urgently needed as a prelude to developing preventive programmes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 7051, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nakibuuka
authors.affiliation: Neurological and Behavioral Outcomes Center, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sajatovic
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 7051, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Elly
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Katabira
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, St Raphael of St Francis Nsambya Hospital, Nkozi University, P.O. Box 7146, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ddumba
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Jayne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Byakika-Tusiime
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Neurological Institute Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Furlan