AWARENESS OF STROKE, KNOWLEDGE OF STROKE RISK FACTORS AND THEIR PREVALENCE AMONG THE POPULATION OF 18+ IN THE SOUTHWESTERN REGION OF NORTH MACEDONIA

Danijela Vojtikiv Samoilovska; Maja Bozinovska; Anita Arsovska; Ljupco Efremov; Jovanka Sion Dolenc; Elena Lickova; Rodna Kozlovska; Suzana Trajkovska; Sanja Zikova

Danijela Vojtikiv Samoilovska D-r Danijela, Private Neurology Practice, Tetovo, North Macedonia
Maja Bozinovska 2. Special Hospital for Orthopedics and Traumatology St. Erazmo, Ohrid, North Macedonia
Anita Arsovska University Clinic of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, North Macedonia
Ljupco Efremov American University od the Middle East, Kuwait City Metropolitan Area, Kuwait
Jovanka Sion Dolenc General Public Hospital, Ohrid, North Macedonia
Elena Lickova Clinical Public Hospital, Stip, North Macedonia
Rodna Kozlovska Public Health Polyclinic, Skopje, North Macedonia
Suzana Trajkovska Public Health Polyclinic, Skopje, North Macedonia
Sanja Zikova General Public Hospital 8-th September, Skopje, North Macedonia

Abstract

Reduction in the risk of stroke and increase in the speed of hospital presentation, after the onset of stroke, depend on the level of knowledge of stroke in the general population. The aim was to assess: community knowledge of stroke symptoms and risk factors, information resources, as well as self-reported prevalence of established risk factors, among 18 + population. Materials and metods :cross-sectional study was conducted by members of the Association for fight against stroke- â€œMozocen Udar Ohridâ€, through face to face and telephone interviews, in the period of March 2019 to April 2021. In total 576 respondents, older than 18, residents of Southwest region of our country. Results: 48% of them are up to 49 years, 52 % are older than 50 years. The most reconaised stroke risk factors were: hypertension (38%) , smoking (17%), stress (15%) and lipids (13%). 44% of the respondents didnâ€™t mention any stroke risk factor. 46% respondents donâ€™t know how to recognize stroke. 29% of them mentioned paralysis on part of the body, 22% speech problems and 14 % face paralysis. Main source of information for stroke is internet, mentioned by 42%. 42 % stated that have hypertension, 33% stated high level of triglycerides, 25% stated that they have 1-6 drinks per week, 20% stated that they were inactive in last week . Conclusion: A community-based education program to increase public knowledge of stroke should be considred, internet and TV are powerful tools.

Key words: stroke, risk factors, public knowledge.

References

1. SAFE. Burden Of Stroke Report. Brussels. May 2017. https://www.safestroke.eu/burden-of-stroke
2. Hickey A et al. Stroke awareness in the general population: knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs in older adults. BMC Geriatr. 2009 Aug 5;9:35. doi: 10.1186/1471-2318-9-https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19656359/
3. Ewa Krzystanek . Adequate Knowledge of Stroke Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Necessary Actions in the General Population of Southern Poland. Brain Sci. 2020, 10(12), 1009;
https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10121009
4. Sung Sug Yoon,et all. Knowledge of stroke risk factors, warning symptoms, and treatment among an Australian urban population. StrokeVolume 32, Issue 8, 1 August 2001; Pages 1926-1930 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11486127/
5. Alexander T. Trends in Community Knowledge of the Warning Signs and Risk Factors for Stroke. .JAMA. 2003; 289(3):343-346. doi: 10.1001/jama.289.3.343
6. Nobel et al. MyRisk_Stroke calculator: a personalized stroke risk assessment tool for the general population. J Clin Neurol. 2014 Jan; 10(1): 1â€“9 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3896642/
7. Segura T et al. Public Perception of Stroke in Spain.Cerebrovasc Dis 2003;16:21â€“26. https://doi.org/10.1159/000070110
8. R Kothari et al. Patients' awareness of stroke signs, symptoms, and risk factors. Stroke. 1997;28:1871â€“1875. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.STR.28.10.1871
9. Boehme AK, et al. Stroke Risk Factors, Genetics, and Prevention. Circulation Research.2017;120:472â€“495. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5321635/
10. Hussein Mohammad Khalil. Knowledge of Stroke Warning Signs, Risk Factors, and Response to Stroke among Lebanese Older Adults in Beirut. Journal of Storke and /cerebrovascular Disease. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.104716
11. A M Pancioli. Public perception of stroke warning signs and knowledge of potential risk factors. JAMA. 1998 Apr 22-29;279(16):1288-92. doi: 10.1001/jama.279.16.1288 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9565010/
12. J Ian Spark. Stroke and transient ischaemic attack awareness. Med J Aust . 2011 Jul 4;195(1):16-9. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2011.tb03181.x. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21728935/
13. Anne Hickey. Knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs in Ireland: development and application of the Stroke Awareness Questionnaire (SAQ). Int J Stroke. 2012 Jun;7(4):298-306. doi: 10.1111/j.1747-4949.2011.00698.x. Epub 2011 Dec 8 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22151425/
14. Katie Stack. Does socioeconomic position affect knowledge of the risk factors and warning signs of stroke in the WHO European region? A systematic literature review. BMC Public Health . 2020 Sep 29;20(1):1473. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-09580-x. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32993624/
15. Martin O' Donnell1. Variations in knowledge, awareness and treatment of hypertension and stroke risk by country income level . Heart 2021;107:282â€“289. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2019-316515 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2019-316515)
16. Amelia K. Boehme. Stroke Risk Factors, Genetics, and Prevention. Circulation Research. 2017;120:472â€“495
17. M Rasura. Effectiveness of public stroke educational interventions: a review. Eur J Neurol. 2014;21(1):11-20. doi: 10.1111/ene.12266. Epub 2013 Sep 16. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24102755/