Diana Malaeb1,2,3, Nada Dia1, Chadia Haddad4,5, Souheil Hallit4,6,7, Hala Sacre8, Muna Barakat9, Sara Mansour1, Pascale Salameh8,10,11,12, Hassan Hosseini13,14,15. 1. School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon. 2. Life Sciences and Health Department, Paris-Est University, Paris, France. 3. College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates. 4. Research department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, JalEddib, Lebanon. 5. INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CH Esquirol, IRD, U1094 tropical Neuroepidemiology, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, GEIST, Limoges, France. 6. School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh, P.O Box 446, Lebanon. 7. Psychology Department, College of Humanities, Effat University, Jaddah, 21478, Saudi Arabia. 8. Epidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie, INSPECT-LB: Institut National de Santé Publique, Beirut, Lebanon. 9. Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan. 10. Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon. 11. University of Nicosia Medical School, Nicosia, Cyprus. 12. School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon. 13. Stroke Unit, Service de Neurologie, CHU Henri Mondor- 94010, Créteil Cedex, France. 14. UPE-C, Faculté de Santé, Université Paris-Est Créteil, Paris, France. 15. INSERM U955-E01, IMRB, Créteil, France.
Abstract
Background: Evaluation of the knowledge about stroke in the general population is extremely vital as it prevents stroke development, limits complications, and achieves better quality of life. We assume that the general Lebanese population lacks awareness about stroke and its associated complications. This study aims to evaluate stroke knowledge and determine the factors associated with stroke awareness among the general Lebanese population. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed respondents' sociodemographic characteristics and the identification of risk factors, warning signs, stroke consequences, and early response to stroke symptoms. A total of 551 Lebanese adults without a history of stroke filled in an online self-reported questionnaire publicly shared on social applications. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with poor knowledge of stroke. Results: Among the 551 participants enrolled, 403 (74.2%) were females and 312 (56.7%) were under 30 years of age. Females compared to males and employed compared to unemployed had significantly higher odds of identifying at least one risk factor (OR=4.3 [95%CI=1.1;16.8] and 6 [95%CI=1.2;29.6], respectively). Also, when compared to unemployed, employed participants had significantly higher odds of recognizing at least one of the early stroke symptoms (OR=3.3 [95%CI=1.2;8.9]) and identifying at least one of the stroke consequences (OR=5.3 [95%CI=1.1;25.9]). Reaching a university level of education compared to a school level was associated with significantly higher odds (OR=2.3 [95%CI=1.1;4.8]) of taking a patient to a hospital. Conclusion: Well-educated, employed, and female participants were more knowledgeable about stroke. Tailored interventions focusing on individuals with inadequate stroke literacy are needed. Further studies, more representative of the general Lebanese population with a larger sample size, are necessary to confirm our findings. Copyright:
Background: Evaluation of the knowledge about stroke in the general population is extremely vital as it prevents stroke development, limits complications, and achieves better quality of life. We assume that the general Lebanese population lacks awareness about stroke and its associated complications. This study aims to evaluate stroke knowledge and determine the factors associated with stroke awareness among the general Lebanese population. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed respondents' sociodemographic characteristics and the identification of risk factors, warning signs, stroke consequences, and early response to stroke symptoms. A total of 551 Lebanese adults without a history of stroke filled in an online self-reported questionnaire publicly shared on social applications. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with poor knowledge of stroke. Results: Among the 551 participants enrolled, 403 (74.2%) were females and 312 (56.7%) were under 30 years of age. Females compared to males and employed compared to unemployed had significantly higher odds of identifying at least one risk factor (OR=4.3 [95%CI=1.1;16.8] and 6 [95%CI=1.2;29.6], respectively). Also, when compared to unemployed, employed participants had significantly higher odds of recognizing at least one of the early stroke symptoms (OR=3.3 [95%CI=1.2;8.9]) and identifying at least one of the stroke consequences (OR=5.3 [95%CI=1.1;25.9]). Reaching a university level of education compared to a school level was associated with significantly higher odds (OR=2.3 [95%CI=1.1;4.8]) of taking a patient to a hospital. Conclusion: Well-educated, employed, and female participants were more knowledgeable about stroke. Tailored interventions focusing on individuals with inadequate stroke literacy are needed. Further studies, more representative of the general Lebanese population with a larger sample size, are necessary to confirm our findings. Copyright:
Authors: Wayne Rosamond; Katherine Flegal; Karen Furie; Alan Go; Kurt Greenlund; Nancy Haase; Susan M Hailpern; Michael Ho; Virginia Howard; Brett Kissela; Bret Kissela; Steven Kittner; Donald Lloyd-Jones; Mary McDermott; James Meigs; Claudia Moy; Graham Nichol; Christopher O'Donnell; Veronique Roger; Paul Sorlie; Julia Steinberger; Thomas Thom; Matt Wilson; Yuling Hong Journal: Circulation Date: 2007-12-17 Impact factor: 29.690