Knowledge, attitude and practice about the risk factors of ischemic stroke and warning symptoms- A case control study

Introduction: Stroke is a neurological defect that could result in death thus the importance of evaluating the existing knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) is essential for stroke control. Objective: Our study objective was to assess the knowledge, attitude and perception of risk factors and warning symptoms of ischemic stroke among controls and caregivers attending in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A matched (age and sex) case control study was planned to assess the knowledge, attitude and perception of risk factors and warning symptoms of Ischemic stroke among controls and caregivers in a tertiary care centre for a period of one year. The Sample size was calculated for matched case control (1:1 ratio) by n-master software and came out to be 189 pairs. Consecutive sampling method was used to select caregivers and controls. The controls were selected from the same hospital. The association between various risk factor and warning symptoms of ischemic stroke has been investigated. Z-test was implemented to estimate risk factor and warning symptom of Ischemic stroke among caregivers and controls. Results: Our result revealed that most of subjects were aged 40-59 years, males (69.8%), and (77.2%) was literate. The KAP questionnaire was administered to 189 participants each from both groups. Majority (69.84%) among caregiver while only 48.67% in control group knew about the risk factors of stroke. Majority (65.6%) among the caregiver while only 30% in control knew about the warning signs of stroke. Majority of the respondents believed that ischemic stroke is preventable and stroke can occur more than one time and affects daily activity. Conclusions: The level of KAP toward stroke risk factors and warning symptoms was inadequate among the majority of control participants. Though it was observed that good KAP was associated with high education and young age. Keywords: Ischemic stroke, Risk factors, Warning symptoms.