title: Gender differences in feelings and knowledge about stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine gender differences in knowledge and feelings about stroke among ≥40 years old population.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Knowledge of stroke is consistently found to be poor among both genders in general populations, however, it has been reported to be better among women than men. Gender differences in feelings about stroke in the general population have not been examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from a convenience sample using semi-structured personal interviews. Participants were representative of Israeli sub-populations aged ≥40 with no history of stroke. Knowledge of stroke was studied with quantitative methods while constant comparative analysis was used for the qualitative data analysis of feelings evoked by stroke.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and seventy-seven participants were interviewed, 79/177 (44·6%) men and 98/177 (55·4%) women. Rates of self-reported hypertension [33/79 (41·8%) men, 25/98 (25·5%) women] and current smoking [29/79 (36·7%) men, 18/98 (18·4%) women] were significantly higher in men than women. Over 50% men and women mentioned one-side sudden weakness or paralysis as a stroke symptom, however, other stroke symptoms were not recognised by most participants. Education was associated with the number of identified stroke signs. Knowledge of stroke-warning signs was better in women. The main feelings expressed by both genders were fear of dying and disability, self-concern about survival, blaming fate and self-accusation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stroke knowledge is poor among men and women. Higher level of education is a predictor of stroke knowledge among both genders. Gender-specific differences in stroke risk factors and feelings about stroke in different sub-populations should be taken into account to improve prevention of stroke through education programmes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health education on stroke prevention should be tailored to population groups differing in level of education. Health promotion recommendations should be provided by nurses with regard to beliefs of both men and women regarding prevention of stroke.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Department, School of Health Professions, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. itzhakim@post.tau.ac.il, itzhaki2@012.net.il.
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Itzhaki
authors.affiliation: Nursing Department, School of Health Professions, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Semyon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Melnikov
authors.affiliation: Nursing Department, School of Health Professions, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology
keywords: feelings; gender; knowledge; mixed method; stroke