Abstract DP383: Evaluating the Public Impact of the FAST Heroes Campaign in Iceland: A National Pre-Post Survey of Stroke Knowledge and Preparedness

Background: Stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability globally. Timely response is critical for optimal outcomes, yet delays persist due to low public awareness. The FAST Heroes campaign educates children (aged 5–9) to recognize stroke symptoms and act, with indirect reach to families via conversations and educational materials. Purposes: To evaluate changes in public awareness of stroke symptoms, preparedness, and modifiable risk factors following the national rollout of the FAST Heroes campaign in Iceland (~388,000 population). The campaign engaged over 4,000 children. The study also sought to identify key channels through which the public became aware of the campaign, including children, schools, media, and other sources. Methods: A stratified random sample, aged 20–70, from the Icelandic National Registry completed surveys pre-campaign (2023) and post-campaign (2025). Instruments included the Stroke Preparedness Questionnaire, the Stroke Efficacy Scale, and questions on knowledge of symptoms and risk factors. Exposure sources (child, school, media) were recorded. Response rates were 37.6% (n=935) and 38.1% (n=999), respectively. Results: Awareness of FAST Heroes increased significantly from 5% to 12% (p