Abstract:
Background: Stroke is a rapidly developed clinical sign of focal disturbance of cerebral function,
lasting more than 24 hours attributed to vascular origin. It is the second and third leading cause of
death and disability respectively. According to many studies, hypertension and diabetes mellitus
are two major contributors to stroke events. Given the rising prevalence of stroke and its
disproportionate impact on individuals with these conditions, there is a critical need to investigate
and address the knowledge gaps surrounding stroke symptoms and risk factors among these
populations.
Objectives: to assess knowledge towards risk factors and symptoms of stroke among patients
living with diabetes and/or hypertension and planned responses when suspecting an acute stroke.
Method: A hospital-based cross-sectional study with 253 participants was conducted from January
to March 2024 using a convenience sampling method, close-ended questions, and a pretested
interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi data version 4.6.2 and
analyzed using SPSS version 26. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to show an
association between dependent and independent variables. An adjusted odds ratios with 95%
confidence intervals were employed to measure the strength of associations in the final model. The
findings were presented through texts, tables, and figures.
Result: Among respondents (mean age 54.41 ± 13.261 SD), 11.5% demonstrated good knowledge
of stroke symptoms and 15.4% of risk factors. Formal education (AOR = 3.11, 95%CI: 1.10-8.68)
and having a relative with stroke (AOR= 2.61, 95%CI: 1.04-6.53) were significantly associated
with good knowledge of stroke symptoms. Younger age groups (AOR = 2.83, 95%CI: 1.13-7.12),
urban residence (AOR = 7.62, 95%CI: 2.55-22.79), formal education (AOR= 3.32, 95%CI: 1.26
8.78,), and higher income (AOR= 2.27, 95%CI: 1.02-5.07) were associated with good knowledge
of stroke risk factors.
Conclusion and recommendations: The study revealed alarmingly low knowledge of stroke risk
factors and symptoms among hypertensive and diabetic patients, highlighting the urgent need for
stakeholders to prioritize stroke education.
