Abstract Details

Title Stroke Awareness among Adults in South-South, Nigeria. Delta State

Topic Cerebrovascular Disease and Interventional Neurology

Presentation(s) IN6 - (-)

Poster/Presentation
Number 002

Objective

Background Stroke is the leading cause of neurological admissions in Nigeria with a very high morbidity and mortality. Awareness of risk factors may be an important first step in stroke prevention just as awareness of warning signs, treatment facilities and beliefs about stroke may be vital in decisions regarding intervention.

Design/Methods 280 adults were interviewed from 105 families following a simple randomization technique from two communities.

Results Awareness of at least one warning sign of stroke was 45.3% and awareness of risk factors for stroke was 33.9%. Awareness of warning signs ranged from 65.8% (sudden weakness of arm and leg on one side) to 45% (sudden weakness and deviation of face). Risk factor awareness ranged from 62.8% (hypertension) to 20.3% (sickle cell disease). Sixty-five of the respondents recognized stroke as an emergency and 52% believed it is among the top three killer diseases in Nigeria. Among the adults studied 46.7% believe stroke is a spiritual attack, 41.4% believed it is caused by witchcrafts and 28.2% believe it is best treated by herbalists (native healers). Altogether, 1.78% reported having had a stroke and 28% reported a stroke in their family.

Conclusions Adults in the Delta region of African Nigerians have low awareness of stroke warning signs and risk factors for stroke.The findings underscore the importance of conducting an effective educational campaign.

Authors/Disclosures
Yahaya O. Obiabo (Delta State Univeristy Teaching Hospital) PRESENTER	No disclosure on file
Anthony Reder, MD (University of Chicago)	Dr. Reder has nothing to disclose.

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