Gap between recognition and response to stroke scenarios among Saudi population: Cross-sectional survey study

Majed Mohammad Al-Hayani; Razan Ahmad Aljudibi; Yasser Alatawi; Badrah Saeed Alghamdi

doi:10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2023.107237

Gap between recognition and response to stroke scenarios among Saudi population: Cross-sectional survey study

J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2023 Sep;32(9):107237. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2023.107237. Epub 2023 Jul 22.

Authors

Majed Mohammad Al-Hayani¹, Razan Ahmad Aljudibi², Yasser Alatawi³, Badrah Saeed Alghamdi⁴

Affiliations

¹ Collage of medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Field Epidemiology Training Program, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: Alhayani13@gmail.com.
² Collage of medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
³ Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Neuroscience Unit, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saud Arabia; Pre-Clinical Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

PMID: 37487319
DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2023.107237

Abstract

Objectives: Recognition of stroke symptoms and emergency medical services (EMS) calls have a significant impact on patient management and outcome after acute strokes. The objective of this study is to assess the presence of a gap in the Saudi population between the recognition of stroke symptoms and the appropriate response to call EMS.

Materials and methods: This questionnaire-based, cross-sectional survey study was conducted among the Saudi population with 563 total participants. The data were collected using a self-administered, web-based questionnaire. It was distributed randomly via social media platforms and emails to the general population of Saudi Arabia (SA). A series of 12 vignettes of stroke scenarios and four non-stroke scenarios was adapted from validated instruments.

Results: Our study revealed that 8% (n = 533) of the responses were appropriately recognized and resulted in calls to EMS while 38% (n = 2,639) did not respond by calling EMS despite their correct recognition. However, 9% (n = 608) chose to call EMS regardless of their incorrect recognition of the stroke scenario, and the plurality, 45% (n = 3,096), did not recognize the stroke scenario or respond by calling EMS. Furthermore, we found a statistically significant association among appropriate response, recognition, and self-efficacy.

Conclusions: A recognition-response gap has been found among the Saudi population. Future campaigns should focus on the identification of common stroke symptoms and reinforce the importance of calling the EMS to apply the knowledge appropriately. Consequently, such actions could decrease mortality and chronic disability among stroke patients.

Keywords: Awareness; Public awareness; Public health education; Recognition-response gap; Stroke; Tertiary prevention.