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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
3159.0: Monday, December 12, 2005 - Board 5

Abstract #106505

Awareness of Stroke Risk Factors, Warning Signs, and Action to be Taken in the Event of Stroke in Two Rural Counties, Mississippi, 2004

Mohammad Shahbazi, PhD, MPH, CHES, Public Health, Jackson State University, 144 Apple Blossom Dr., Brandon, MS 39047, Allen Penman, MD, Msc, MPH, Jackson Heart Study, 350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave, Jackson Medical Mall, Jackson, MS 39213, Patricia Frye, MPH, MPA, CHES, MS Urban Research Center, Jackson State University, Jackson Medical Mall, Jackson, MS 39217, 601 368 2043, pmshahbazi@yahoo.com, and Sophia Leggett, PhD, MPH, Dept. of Public Health, Jackson State Univ., Jackson Medical Mall, Jackson, MS 39213.

Mississippi has one of the highest stroke mortality rates in the nation. In preparation for a community stroke education intervention, baseline surveys were undertaken in the intervention and control counties.

Random-digit-dialed telephone surveys were conducted on adults 18 and older sampled from the civilian, non-institutionalized populations of Warren (control) and Washington (intervention) counties, Mississippi. Using open-ended questions, respondents were asked about knowledge of stroke risk factors, stroke symptoms and signs, and actions to be taken in the event of a stroke. Data were analyzed (without weighting) using SPSS and SAS.

In both counties, approximately 80% of respondents stated that strokes could be prevented, but knowledge of specific stroke risk factors was poor. Less than 50% of respondents named hypertension, and knowledge of other risk factors was much poorer. Recognition of individual stroke warning signs was fair to poor: just under 50% named weakness or numbness and fewer than 25% named others such as dizziness or loss of vision. When responses were analyzed in aggregate, the results were very poor: only 2-3% could name all 5 major warning signs of stroke, and only 1-2% could name all signs correctly and state the correct action to be taken (call 911).

Awareness of stroke warning signs and knowledge of correct action to be taken in the event of a stroke are very poor. A major public education campaign will be needed before any system can be introduced to transport stroke patients rapidly to hospital.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Strokes,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Health Communication about Chronic Disease and Evidence-based Medicine

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA