Healthcare professionals' knowledge of modifiable stroke risk factors: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey in greater Gaborone, Botswana

Abstract

Background: Stroke remains the second leading cause of deaths and disability globally, with highest mortality in Africa (low- and middle-income countries). It is crucial for healthcare professionals to have sufficient stroke risk factors' knowledge in order to reduce the stroke burden. Aims: We investigated healthcare professionals' knowledge of modifiable stroke risk factors, and identified demographic factors influencing this knowledge. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey study from Botswana (upper middle-income country), structured questionnaires reflecting recent stroke guidelines were administered to a representative selection of healthcare workers in greater Gaborone. The response rate was 61.4%, comprising 84 doctors, 227 nurses and 33 paramedics. Categorical data were described using percentages and Chi-square tests. Associations between stroke risk factors' knowledge and demographic factors were analyzed with one-way ANOVA using SPSS 25 statistical software. Results: Awareness rate of individual stroke risk factors was highest for hypertension (96.5%), followed by obesity (93.3%), smoking (91.9%), elevated total cholesterol (91.0%), physical inactivity (83.4%), elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (81.1%), excessive alcohol drinking (77.0%), and lowest for diabetes (73.3%). For all-8 risk factors, doctors had the highest knowledge, followed by nurses and paramedics lowest (7.11 vs 6.85 vs 6.06, P < 0.05). Conclusion: In Botswana, specific healthcare professionals' subgroups need to be targeted for continuing education on stroke risk factors for improving stroke prevention and reducing stroke-related disability and mortality.

Keywords

• Awareness
• Knowledge
• Healthcare professionals
• Modifiable stroke risk factors
• Low and middle-income countries
• Upper middle-income country