Abstract

Background: Stroke is characterized by the sudden onset of neurological deficit and vascular pathology of the brain and affects many people globally, although it is generally preventable. Recognizing stroke symptoms in time is important for correct and timely intervention. Increasing awareness towards risk factors, warning signs, and prevention strategies of stroke for high-risk populations can lead to reduction of incidence and late reporting to the hospital. However, there is paucity of data on the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices towards stroke among Ghanaian patients. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices toward stroke among patients attending St. Martin’s Hospital in Ghana.

Methods: This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design which involved assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices among attendants to the diabetes and hypertension clinic of St. Martin’s Catholic Hospital, Agroyesum, in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti region, using a pretested, hand-delivered semi-structured questionnaire. Two Hundred and Eighty (280) participants were randomly included in the study. outcome of the study was analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Chi-Square and Fisher’s Exact tests. Composite scores were calculated to categorise participants’ knowledge into little/no knowledge (0–5), adequate knowledge (6–10) and high knowledge (11–15). Binary logistic regression was performed to assess the impact of demographic factors on the likelihood that participants would report adequate/high knowledge of stroke and corresponding odds ratios (OR) reported. A p-value<0.05 at 95% confidence level was considered statistically significant.

Results: Participants were largely female (59.3%) and were aged 40.91±19.40 years (range: 16–84 years), with most of them between 21 and 40 years old (41.4%). Most participants (251; 89.6%) identified hypertension and smoking as the most common risk factors for stroke. 179 (63.9%) participants were of the view that stroke could not be acquired through physical contact with an affected person, whereas others 154 (55.00%) believed prayers and fasting could cure it. Most participants (68.6%) saw prevention as the best method to control stroke. Age group was the major predictor of participants reporting adequate/high knowledge (OR = 15.98, 95% CI: 1.718–148.530, p = 0.015). Of those who believed that stroke could be acquired through physical contact with an affected person, majority were aged above 40 years, 65 (65%), whereas majority of those who thought otherwise were either 40 years old or less, 35 (35%)  (χ2 = 34.052, p<0.001). significant difference was observed in participants’ responses to what they would do if they found a patient in sudden trouble while walking compared with age group (χ2 = 25.494, p<0.001) and educational status (χ2 = 25.995, p<0.001).

Conclusion: Majority of patients expressed high knowledge about stroke and a variable response for attitude and practices towards stroke was recorded.

Key words: stroke, neurological, vascular pathology