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The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery
Published in: The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery 1/2024

Open Access 01-12-2024 | Stroke | Research

Public knowledge of risk factors and warning signs of heart attack and stroke

Authors: Pedro Pallangyo, Zabella S. Mkojera, Makrina Komba, Loveness Mfanga, Saad Kamtoi, Janeth Mmari, Husna Y. Faraji, Smita V. Bhalia, Henry A. Mayala, Genofeva Matemu, Anna Nkinda, Engerasiya Kifai, Peter R. Kisenge

Published in: The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Background

Knowledge of the predisposing risk factors and prompt recognition of the warning signs for heart attack and stroke is fundamental in modification of lifestyle behaviors and an imperative precursor to health-seeking behavior. In view of an existing knowledge gap amidst increasing incidence of heart attack and stroke in Tanzania, we conducted this community-based cross-sectional study among residents of Dar es Salaam city.

Results

A total of 1759 respondents were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 45.4 years, females constituted over a half of participants and over two-thirds had attained at least secondary school education. Regarding risk factors, just over 2% of participants displayed satisfactory awareness and only stress was recognized by at least half of participants. With regard to warning signs, barely 1% of participants had satisfactory knowledge for either of the conditions while nearly three-quarters of participants failed to mention even a single warning sign for heart attack. Recognized by about two-thirds of respondents, sudden numbness or weakness in face, arm or leg was the most acknowledged stroke symptom; however, other symptoms were familiar to less than a third of participants. Although over a half of respondents acknowledged going to a hospital as their first resort, over one-tenth of respondents expressed inappropriate reactions towards heart attack and stroke victims. Old age, higher level of education, positive history of heart attack or stroke, high blood pressure and history of dyslipidemia showed association with both risk factors and warning signs knowledge during bivariate analyses.

Conclusions

Public knowledge of common risk factors and typical warning signs for heart attack and stroke was critically suboptimal. These findings herald an utmost need for public health efforts to increase community awareness of risk factors and typical signs of the two conditions to curb the rising prevalence and associated morbimortality.
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Metadata
Title
Public knowledge of risk factors and warning signs of heart attack and stroke
Authors
Pedro Pallangyo
Zabella S. Mkojera
Makrina Komba
Loveness Mfanga
Saad Kamtoi
Janeth Mmari
Husna Y. Faraji
Smita V. Bhalia
Henry A. Mayala
Genofeva Matemu
Anna Nkinda
Engerasiya Kifai
Peter R. Kisenge
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword
Stroke
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s41983-023-00780-x

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