title: Analysis of Gender Differences in Knowledge of Stroke Warning Signs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The impact of gender on knowledge of stroke warning signs and preparedness is poorly understood, and gender-specific factors associated with poor knowledge of stroke warning signs have not been identified.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study of 132,604 participants in the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey, a national telephone survey. Adults aged 18 years or older who lived in one of 19 states that administered an optional stroke module asking them to correctly identify stroke symptoms and the correct action to take were included. The primary outcome was a low score (≤ 4 of 7) on the Stroke Symptoms Knowledge Scale (SSKS). Logistic regression was performed for the overall sample and then stratified by gender, with adjustments made for age, race, Hispanic ethnicity, income, and whether respondents had a primary doctor (PMD). Data were weighted as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 51.7% of the weighted sample was women. Less women than men had low scores on the SSKS (21% versus 25%, P < .001). After adjusting for age, race, ethnicity, income, and PMD, men had higher odds of having low scores (adjusted odds ratio, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-1.45). After stratifying by gender, Hispanic ethnicity, and age younger than 35 years predicted low scores on the scale in women but not in men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Female gender is associated with better knowledge of stroke warning signs, but a gender-specific approach identified Hispanic women, young women, and black participants as subgroups at risk for having poor knowledge, suggesting the need for targeted stroke education to increase stroke preparedness in these groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. Electronic address: Tracy_Madsen@brown.edu.
authors.forename: Tracy E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Madsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
authors.forename: Katie A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Baird
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University/ Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island.
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gjelsvik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology; D057220:Health Literacy; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Stroke; gender; gender differences; knowledge diffusion; women and minorities