Lack of public awareness about stroke warning signs

January 01, 0001

Lack of public awareness about stroke warning signs

The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge of stroke warning signs and risk factors among the general public, including what they would do if they were to develop such symptoms. It was a population study of randomly selected members of the general public in Adelaide, South Australia. A simple survey assessed knowledge of stroke warning signs and gave four options for management. The survey was conducted on three separate occasions: before, immediately after and 3 months after the National Stroke Foundation’s National Stroke Week in 2009. The three surveys were completed by 251 members of the public.

Hypertension and smoking were recognised as risk factors for stroke by 71% and 53% of respondents respectively. Before National Stroke Week, slurred speech was identified by 51% and both slurred speech and upper limb sensory loss was identified by 62% as warning signs to provoke presentation to an emergency department (ED). Amaurosis, upper limb sensory loss, upper limb numbness and upper limb weakness were correctly identified individually as warning signs to attend an ED by fewer than one-third of respondents. There was no significant difference in the survey results following National Stroke Week.

The researchers concluded: "Public awareness of the symptoms of stroke, and what to do about them, is limited. There was little improvement after the national week-long awareness campaign. The lack of public awareness about stroke warning signs must be addressed to reduce mortality and morbidity from stroke."

This is an area where public education may make big difference.

For the full abstract, click here.

MJA 195(1):16-19, 18 July 2011 © The Medical Journal of Australia 2011
Stroke and transient ischaemic attack awareness. J Ian Spark, Nadia Blest, Sheralee Sandison, Phillip J Puckridge, Hafees A Saleem and David A Russell.

Category: N. Neurological. Keywords: stroke, TIA, awareness, survey, population study, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, Melbourne, Australia. Posted on Global Family Doctor 29 July 2011

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