title: Public Awareness of Stroke and Its Predicting Factors in Korea: a National Public Telephone Survey, 2012 and 2014.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate time trends in the public awareness of stroke and its predicting factors. The target population was 9,600 community-dwelling adults, aged 19-79 years, in 16 metropolitan cities and provinces in Korea. The survey samples in 2012 and 2014 were selected separately (entirely different sets of subjects) using a proportionate quota sampling method. Information concerning knowledge of stroke and demographics was collected by trained telephone interviewers using random digit dialing. After excluding subjects with a non-response or refusal to answer any question, the analyses included 8,191 subjects in 2012 and 8,127 subjects in 2014. Respondents' awareness of stroke warning signs (numbness or weakness, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, dizziness, visual impairment, and severe headache) was highest for difficulty speaking or understanding speech (80.9% in 2012 and 86.4% in 2014). There were significant increases in the proportion of respondents understanding the appropriate action (i.e., calling an ambulance) at the time of stroke occurrence (59.6% to 67.1%), and in the proportion aware of the general need for prompt treatment (86.7% to 89.8%). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, older age, higher education level, higher household income, current non-smoking, exposure to stroke-related public relations materials, and experience of stroke education were significantly associated with both high knowledge of stroke warning signs and awareness of the need for prompt treatment. Between 2012 and 2014, the public's awareness of stroke increased significantly. More specialized interventions, including public relations materials and education, should focus on subgroups who have lower stroke knowledge.
authors.affiliation: Jeonbuk Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Center, Wonkwang University Hospital, Iksan, Korea.
authors.forename: Gyung Jae
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9869-1564
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Gangwon Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Disease Center, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jiyoung
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9503-020X
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: Daegu-Gyeongbuk Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Disease Center, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Yu Mi
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3206-7894
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Jeju Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Disease Center, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyeung Keun
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7502-5710
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Gyeongnam Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Disease Center, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Korea.
authors.forename: Ki Soo
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5571-3639
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Gwangju-Jeonnam Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Disease Center, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Woon
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6715-1768
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.affiliation: Chungbuk Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Disease Center, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Korea.
authors.forename: Gilwon
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0222-1870
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Busan-Ulsan Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Disease Center, Dong-A University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Byoung Gwon
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1762-6320
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Daejeon-Chungnam Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Disease Center, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Hee
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9166-9986
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Gyeonggi Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Disease Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Heeyoung
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4830-9851
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Incheon Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Disease Center, Inha University Hospital, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Won Kyung
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6014-8854
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kun Sei
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1552-6761
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of Chronic Disease Control, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Korea.
authors.forename: Hee Sook
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4037-6227
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Jeonbuk Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Center, Wonkwang University Hospital, Iksan, Korea.|Department of Preventive Medicine & Institute of Wonkwang Medical Science, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea. lyh8275@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Young Hoon
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1367-025X
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012907:Smoking; D012923:Social Class; D020521:Stroke / Q000473:pathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Awareness; Public; Stroke; Warning Signs