Knowledge of Stroke Risk Factors, Warning Signs, Emergency Response, and Prevention among Adults in an Urban Community in Nigeria

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, requiring early intervention for effective management. Delays in seeking emergency care are often due to a lack of knowledge about stroke signs and the appropriate response. There is a therefore the need to assess the knowledge of stroke risk factors, warning signs, emergency response, and prevention among adults in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: This mixed method design study involved a cross-sectional aspect and a Focus Group Discussion (FGD). A questionnaire adapted from a previous study was used to obtain information on the level of knowledge of stroke risk factors, warning signs, emergency response, and prevention among the participants. Data collected through the FGD was transcribed and analyzed thematically. Results: Majority of the participants had a poor knowledge of stroke risk factors and stroke warning sign and stroke prevention. “Health workers” are the most common source of stroke information for adults in the community studied. Younger age group participants and participants with tertiary education demonstrated higher proportions with good knowledge levels compared to the older age group participants and participants with lower levels of education. Conclusion: From the findings of this study, it was concluded that there should be more implementation of stroke educational programs for adults in Ibadan with better emphasis on stroke risk factors, warning signs, and prevention.