Knowledge of Stroke Risk Factors among Individuals Diagnosed with Hypertension and Diabetes: A Hospital-based Survey

Abstract

Background: Stroke is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide and primary prevention, through adequate knowledge of its risk factors and attendant risk factor control/modification, remains the best solution. This study assessed knowledge of stroke risk factors among individuals diagnosed with two of the most common modifiable risk factors of stroke namely hypertension and diabetes. Methods: A consecutive sample of 200 clients diagnosed with hypertension and/or diabetes was recruited into this cross-sectional survey from a university teaching hospital in northern Nigeria between January and March 2011. Clinical, socio-demographic, and knowledge of stroke risk factors data were obtained through face-to-face interview using researcher-developed questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized to identify level of knowledge and its associations with socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants. Results: Mean (SD) age of the participants was 49.69 (16.27) years, with more female participants (55.5%) and those diagnosed with hypertension (40.5%). Majority (85%) of the participants knew at least one risk factor and the most commonly known risk factor was hypertension (80%) while family history of stroke (0.5%) and transient ischaemic attack (0.5%) were the least known risk factors. Only diagnosis (P<0.01) and level of educational attainment (P<0.05) had significant associations with knowledge of stroke risk factors with those diagnosed with diabetes (96.3%) and those who had tertiary education (93.1%) being more knowledgeable. Regarding specific risk factors, 64.3% of those with hypertension and 56.8% of those with diabetes respectively identified their conditions as risk factors of stroke. Conclusion: Although a substantial majority of participants in the study knew at least one stroke risk factor, knowledge of some specific risk factors was poor while a little above half of the participants identified their conditions as risk factors for stroke. Effective stroke risk factor awareness and educational strategies are therefore required.