Abstract:
INTRODUCTION: A stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity
worldwide. These are rapid neurological deficits caused by the obstruction or hemorrhage of
a brain blood vessel. Even though most strokes can be eliminated through prevention based
on the control of modifiable risk factors and the early recognition of warning symptoms,
there is a lack of knowledge among hypertension patients regarding the warning symptoms
of strokes. The primary aim of this study is to assess the factors that determine hypertensive
patients’ knowledge of stroke symptoms and narrow the knowledge gap, prompting greater
stroke prevention interventions and enhancing high-risk population outcomes.
OBJECTIVE: To assess knowledge and associated factors of stroke warning symptoms
among adults with Hypertension in Wolaita zone governmental hospitals, Southern Ethiopia,
2024
METHODS: In this institutional-based cross-sectional study, 495 adult hypertensive patients
were selected through a systematic random sampling technique. Data was collected from
Dec, 15 to Jan 15, 2024. Patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The data
was entered into Epi-data version 4.6.0 and exported to the static package Social Science
version 25.0 for analysis. The result of the analysis was presented by using frequencies,
summary measures, texts, tables, and graphs. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression
with crude and adjusted odds ratios along with the 95% confidence interval were computed
and interpreted accordingly. A P-value of <0.05 was considered to declare a result as
statistically significant.
RESULTS: A total of 495 hypertensive patients participated in the study, with a response
rate of 100%. Among the total respondents, 32.5% (95% CI: 28.4–36.7) had good knowledge
of stroke warning symptoms. Younger age (AOR: 5.07; 95% CI: 2.88, 8.9), urban residence
(AOR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.29, 3.72), being male (AOR: 4.15; 95% CI: 2.49, 6.83), and having
long-duration of hypertension (AOR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.57, 4.04) were significantly associated
with good knowledge of stroke warning symptoms with a p-value of < 0.05.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Even though early detection of stroke
warning symptoms is essential for stroke prevention and early treatment, only 32.5% of them
had good knowledge of stroke warning symptoms. The study also discovered that factors like
being younger, being male, living in urban areas, and having a longer history of hypertension
were related to good knowledge of stroke warning symptoms. The results of this study
highlight the need for targeted educational programs to improve stroke prevention strategies and overall health outcomes for people with hypertension.
