KNOWLEDGE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF STROKE WARNING SYMPTOMS AMONG ADULT HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS AT WOLAITA ZONE GOVERNMENTAL HOSPITALS, SOUTHERN, ETHIOPIA, 2024

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.