Stroke awareness among cardiovascular disease patients

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria

Rodolfo De Souza Coelho²  Wladimir Magalhães De Freitas¹  Geniberto Paiva Campos¹  Ricardo Afonso Teixeira¹ 

[1] ,Universidade Católica de BrasíliaBrasília,Brazil

关键词: stroke awareness;    public perception;    lay knowledge;    acidente vascular cerebral;    conhecimento público;    conhecimento leigo;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0004-282X2008000200013

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

BACKGROUND: The early recognition of stroke signs and symptoms is of great relevance concerning the outcome, since it enhances the chances of thrombolytic therapy use. PURPOSE: To compare the knowledge of stroke among a community-based sample and patients treated in a cardiologic clinic. METHOD: We applied a questionnaire during one morning to people who were walking in a park (Pa) and spontaneously stopped at a health tent and during one week to patients of a cardiologic clinic (Ca). The survey assessed demographic details, awareness of stroke symptoms and signs, risk factors and general concepts of stroke. RESULTS: A total of 222 questionnaires were answered, 109 by the cardiologic clinic group and 113 by the park group. The park group recognized better three associated symptoms: headache (Ca: 39%; Pa: 61%; p: 0.001), loss of vision (Ca: 15.8%; Pa: 30.9%; p: 0.007) and unilateral paralysis/weakness (Ca: 26%; Pa: 41%; p: 0.026). The park group recognized better 3 risk factors: diabetes (Ca: 22.9%; Pa: 37.2%; p: 0.021), smoking (Ca: 51.4%; Pa: 67.2%; p: 0.011) and high cholesterol (Ca: 54.1%; Pa: 69.9%; p: 0.015). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that patients treated in a cardiologic clinic do not show a better knowledge of stroke when compared to a community-based sample. Campaigns to increase stroke knowledge can have a great impact on public health, especially among enhanced risk groups, such as cardiovascular patients.

【 授权许可】

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