Knowledge of stroke risk factors among Nigerians at high risk

Abstract

Background: Although the first step toward effective primary prevention of stroke is awareness of its risk factors, there is limited information on knowledge of these risk factors among Nigerians at increased risk. We assessed the knowledge of risk factors for stroke among Nigerians at high risk.

Method: Using an interviewer-administered questionnaire in a cross-sectional design, high-risk patients (defined as those with a diagnosis of hypertension and/or diabetes) attending the specialist medical outpatient clinics of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital were requested to mention all the stroke risk factors they knew. The outcome measure was ability to mention at least 1 well-documented modifiable or potentially modifiable risk factor. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of the outcome measure.

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 56.4 ± 12.6 years. Only 39.8% were able to mention at least 1 well-documented modifiable or potentially modifiable risk factor; hypertension was the most recognized (34.7%). Other risk factors mentioned by the respondents were: diabetes (7.3%), alcohol intake (4.5%), smoking (3.8%), overweight and obesity (1.9%), and heart disease (.6%). Factors found to be significantly associated with ability to correctly mention at least 1 stroke risk factor were younger age (<55 years), more than 12 years of formal education, family history of stroke, urban residence, and previous health education on stroke.

Conclusions: Despite being at high risk, knowledge of stroke risk factors is poor among our respondents. Intensive health education is needed to improve on this poor knowledge.

Keywords: Nigerians; Stroke; high risk; knowledge; risk factors.