Knowledge of Stroke Risk Factors and Warning Signs among the Residents of Majmaah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Stroke is a major cause of illness and death in Saudi Arabia and is considered a rapidly growing problem. Timely admission to a stroke care facility and control of stroke risk factors will enhance stroke treatment outcomes and prevention. Reducing the time between stroke onset and pres...

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Main Authors: Bashayer Abdullah Al-Maymuni, Mohamed Sherif Sirajudeen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20773/68833_CE[Ra1]_F_QC(AnK_SHU)_PF1(AG_OM)_PFA(IS)_PB(AG_IS)_redo_PN(IS).pdf
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author Bashayer Abdullah Al-Maymuni
Mohamed Sherif Sirajudeen
author_facet Bashayer Abdullah Al-Maymuni
Mohamed Sherif Sirajudeen
author_sort Bashayer Abdullah Al-Maymuni
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Stroke is a major cause of illness and death in Saudi Arabia and is considered a rapidly growing problem. Timely admission to a stroke care facility and control of stroke risk factors will enhance stroke treatment outcomes and prevention. Reducing the time between stroke onset and presentation to the hospital, as well as mitigating risk, depends on the knowledge of stroke patients, their family members and the general population. Aim: To assess the knowledge of stroke risk factors, warning signs and the level of physical activity of participants, as well as their associations with selected participant characteristics. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural community of Majmaah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a web-based survey from 392 participants who were 18 years or older and able to read and write in Arabic. The validated questionnaire used in this survey consisted of three parts to determine demographics, knowledge of stroke warning signs, risk factors and physical activity. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the associations between the knowledge components, the level of self-reported physical activity and selected participant characteristics. Adjusted Odds Ratios (OR) and their respective 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: Among the 392 study participants, only 326 (83.2.16%) correctly identified the location of the stroke. Commonly recognised risk factors included stress in 287 (73.21%), smoking in 187 (47.7%) and hypertension in 167 (42.6%). The most frequently recognised symptoms were difficulty in speaking in 210 (53.57%), sudden severe headache in 172 (43.88%) and dizziness in 149 (38.01%). The most common correct response regarding what to do in the event of a stroke was to go to the hospital in 261 (66.58%). Among the participants, only 103 (26.28%) could correctly identify five or more risk factors and 213 (54.34%) could recognise three or more symptoms and warning signs. Conclusion: The majority of the study participants lacked knowledge about stroke risk factors. Nearly half of the participants were unable to recognise stroke symptoms and warning signs. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop health education strategies to improve public awareness of stroke risk factors, warning signs and prevention among the population residing in rural areas of Saudi Arabia.
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spelling doaj-art-7973e52e57eb40678ca812dcc45c1e082025-08-20T03:08:31ZengJCDR Research and Publications Private LimitedJournal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research2249-782X0973-709X2025-03-01193253010.7860/JCDR/2025/68833.20773Knowledge of Stroke Risk Factors and Warning Signs among the Residents of Majmaah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional StudyBashayer Abdullah Al-Maymuni0Mohamed Sherif Sirajudeen1Physical Therapist, Medical Rehabilitation at the Medical Referrals Centre, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Al Majmaah, Saudi Arabia.Introduction: Stroke is a major cause of illness and death in Saudi Arabia and is considered a rapidly growing problem. Timely admission to a stroke care facility and control of stroke risk factors will enhance stroke treatment outcomes and prevention. Reducing the time between stroke onset and presentation to the hospital, as well as mitigating risk, depends on the knowledge of stroke patients, their family members and the general population. Aim: To assess the knowledge of stroke risk factors, warning signs and the level of physical activity of participants, as well as their associations with selected participant characteristics. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural community of Majmaah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a web-based survey from 392 participants who were 18 years or older and able to read and write in Arabic. The validated questionnaire used in this survey consisted of three parts to determine demographics, knowledge of stroke warning signs, risk factors and physical activity. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the associations between the knowledge components, the level of self-reported physical activity and selected participant characteristics. Adjusted Odds Ratios (OR) and their respective 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: Among the 392 study participants, only 326 (83.2.16%) correctly identified the location of the stroke. Commonly recognised risk factors included stress in 287 (73.21%), smoking in 187 (47.7%) and hypertension in 167 (42.6%). The most frequently recognised symptoms were difficulty in speaking in 210 (53.57%), sudden severe headache in 172 (43.88%) and dizziness in 149 (38.01%). The most common correct response regarding what to do in the event of a stroke was to go to the hospital in 261 (66.58%). Among the participants, only 103 (26.28%) could correctly identify five or more risk factors and 213 (54.34%) could recognise three or more symptoms and warning signs. Conclusion: The majority of the study participants lacked knowledge about stroke risk factors. Nearly half of the participants were unable to recognise stroke symptoms and warning signs. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop health education strategies to improve public awareness of stroke risk factors, warning signs and prevention among the population residing in rural areas of Saudi Arabia.https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20773/68833_CE[Ra1]_F_QC(AnK_SHU)_PF1(AG_OM)_PFA(IS)_PB(AG_IS)_redo_PN(IS).pdfphysical activitysaudi populationstroke symptoms
spellingShingle Bashayer Abdullah Al-Maymuni
Mohamed Sherif Sirajudeen
Knowledge of Stroke Risk Factors and Warning Signs among the Residents of Majmaah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
physical activity
saudi population
stroke symptoms
title Knowledge of Stroke Risk Factors and Warning Signs among the Residents of Majmaah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study
title_full Knowledge of Stroke Risk Factors and Warning Signs among the Residents of Majmaah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study
title_fullStr Knowledge of Stroke Risk Factors and Warning Signs among the Residents of Majmaah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge of Stroke Risk Factors and Warning Signs among the Residents of Majmaah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study
title_short Knowledge of Stroke Risk Factors and Warning Signs among the Residents of Majmaah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study
title_sort knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs among the residents of majmaah saudi arabia a cross sectional study
topic physical activity
saudi population
stroke symptoms
url https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20773/68833_CE[Ra1]_F_QC(AnK_SHU)_PF1(AG_OM)_PFA(IS)_PB(AG_IS)_redo_PN(IS).pdf
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