Assessing Public Awareness and Knowledge of Stroke: A Case of Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract

Background: The public awareness of stroke risk factors and warning signs is very imperative the in the quest to prevent diseases. In Ghana, public awareness of stroke as well as awareness of the effect of stroke is presently borne. The study attempts to examine the public awareness of stroke in Ghana. It also seeks to assess the risk factors associated with stroke.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional with 220 households in the Kumasi suburb. The study used structured questionnaires to ascertain data and logistics regression analyses to classify predicators on the recognition of stroke awareness, risk factors and stroke warning signs.

Findings: It was revealed that, headache and numbness were the major stroke warning signs acknowledged and cited by respondent, and the commonest variable (factor) associated with stroke risk factors is ailing to exercise (44%). The findings of the logistic regression model on the predictors of stroke awareness showed that, stroke risk factors (OR=2.27, CI= CI = 1.52-3.71, p < 0.001) and religion (OR=11.66 CI=1.37-161.01), P<0.02) were linked with greater level of stroke risk factors.

Conclusions: Though, stroke is seen as the common causes of mortality in Ghana, but our study showed appreciable number of respondents awareness of it risk factors, warnings signs and the fact that it is a topmost killer. This satisfactory was attributed to the sources of information and other imperative factors such as mounting stroke campaign programmes. Therefore, stroke campaign programmes and health education programmes should be rigorously mounted in universities, high schools, colleges so as to create the needed awareness of this killer disease, it risk factors and warning signs.