Abstract:
Introduction: Stroke related knowledge is one of the determinants of stroke prevention
practices. Having knowledge on prevention methods helps to prevent the severe complication
of hypertension (stroke) and the forthcoming burden related to complications and
death.However, to the investigator’s searching capacity; study regarding knowledge about
stroke its associated factors is not well understood in its fundamental level.
Objective: To assess knowledge about stroke and associated factors among hypertensive
patients on follow-up at public hospitals in Jimma town, Southwest Ethiopia, 2022.
Methods: Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted at public hospitals in Jimma
town from July 8 –September 5, 2022, among 401 hypertensive patients. A systematic
random sampling technique was used for the selection of participants. Data were collected
using interviewer-administered questionnaire, and record review chart, entered into Epi data version 4.6, and then exported to the statistical package for social science version 25
for analysis. Frequencies, percentages, mean, median, standard deviation and interquartile
ranges were used for descriptive analysis. Binary logistic regression was done to identify
factors associated with knowledge about stroke. The strength of association was measured by
the adjusted add ratio with its 95% confidence interval, and a P- value < 0.05 was considered
statistically significant. Finally, the result was presented with tables, charts, and text.
Result: In this study, 401 participants completely responded to the interview; which yielded a
response rate of 98.28%. Ninety-seven (24.2%) of the respondents had good knowledge
about stroke. The educational level of college or above (AOR=3.7,95%CI;1.76,8.00), age
less or equal to 45 years(AOR=2.6, 95%CI;1.54,4.50), urban residency(AOR=3.9, 95%CI;
2.22 ,6.82), perceived risk of stroke(AOR=1.9, 95%CI;1.10,3.27), history of stroke (AOR =
2.6, 95% CI;1.41,5.13), and duration of diagnosis for 5 years or more (AOR=2.7, 95% CI;
1.41,5.13) were factors significantly associated with good knowledge about stroke among
hypertensive patients.
Conclusion and recommendations: About three out of four hypertensive patients on follow up at public hospitals found in Jimma town had poor knowledge about stroke. So, improving
this level of knowledge requires collaborative intervention of Jimma town public hospitals
administrations, stakeholders, and health care providers.
