Vascular Health and Risk Management (Nov 2021)

Knowledge on Stroke Warning Signs and Associated Factors Among Hypertensive Patients, Northwest Ethiopia: An Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study

  • Nigat AB,
  • Abate MW,
  • Demelash AT,
  • Tibebu NS,
  • Tiruneh CM,
  • Emiru TD,
  • Yimam MA,
  • Nega AD,
  • Yimer YS

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 17
pp. 721 – 728

Abstract

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Adane Birhanu Nigat,1 Moges Wubneh Abate,1 Agimasie Tigabu Demelash,1 Nigusie Selomon Tibebu,2 Chalie Marew Tiruneh,2 Tigabu Desie Emiru,2 Mehd Abdu Yimam,3 Abebe Dires Nega,4 Yohannes Shumet Yimer5 1Department of Adult Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia; 2Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia; 3Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan Teferi, Ethiopia; 4Department of Comprehensive Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia; 5Department of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Adane Birhanu NigatDepartment of Adult Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, EthiopiaEmail [email protected]: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death globally and is a major cause of disability worldwide. It is a preventable and treatable disease by the prevention of modifiable risk factors and early recognition of warning signs, respectively.Objective: To assess knowledge on stroke warning signs and associated factors among hypertensive patients at South Gondar Zone Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020.Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in South Gondar Zone Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from June 1– 30, 2020. A systematic random sampling technique was used and data were collected through face to face interviews. Data were entered into Epi data version 4.6.0.0 and exported to SPSS version 25 for cleaning and analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used and variables with p < 0.05 in the multivariable analysis were considered as statistically significant.Results: Two hundred and fifty-three hypertensive patients completed the questionnaire with a response rate of 100%. Among the total respondents, 15% (95% CI: 10.7, 19.4) of participants had good knowledge of stroke warning signs. Younger age (AOR: 2.82; 95% CI: 1.18, 6.74), urban residence (AOR: 2.9; 95% CI: 1.04, 8.11), being educated (AOR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.09, 6.23) and having long duration hypertension follow up (AOR: 2.7; 95% CI: 1.25, 5.81) were significantly associated with good knowledge of stroke warning signs.Conclusion: This study revealed that participants had poor knowledge of stroke warning signs. Younger age, urban residence, being educated and having long duration hypertension follow up were predictors of good stroke warning signs knowledge. Health information dissemination needs to be strengthened for hypertensive patients, particularly for older, rural residents, the non-educated and those having short duration of hypertension follow up.Keywords: hypertension, knowledge, stroke, warning signs, Ethiopia

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