Knowledge and Practice Concerning Hypertensive Patients towards Stroke Risk Factors and Symptoms in Albaha City

Abstract

Background: Stroke is the second direct cause of death worldwide with hypertension, a transient ischemic attack or previous stroke, advanced age, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking and atrial fibrillation being the main risk factors. Of these, hypertension is the most prevalent and treatable risk factor for strokes. Aim: To assess the knowledge of and practice concerning risk factors and symptoms of stroke among hypertensive patients in Albaha City. Methods: This cross-sectional study included hypertensive patients attending five major primary care centres at Albaha city during winter season of 2018; these were
randomly selected and were given a self-administered questionnaire to assess their knowledge of and practices regarding stroke risk factors and warning symptoms. Results: Three hundred and two hypertensive patients were categorized according to their age groups, gender, educational level and employment. They showed highly significant levels of awareness and practice about risk factors and symptoms of stroke (p-value < 0.001). Non-employed, poorly educated older males were aware to a highly significant degree of stroke risk factors and warning symptoms in comparison to the corresponding category (p-value < 0.001) while younger, highly educated, employed males showed a significantly higher level of practice than the others (pvalue < 0.001). Conclusion: This study reflects the need for awareness campaigns to raise the level of knowledge and improve practices regarding strokes among hypertensive patients in Albaha city.