A Community Based Gallup Survey on Knowledge and Awareness of Stroke, Its Risk Factors and Warning Signs and Symptoms Among the Adult Population Across the Seven Sister States of Northeast India

Background Stroke is a chronic, debilitating health condition with serious and often fatal implications. Lack of public awareness is one of the main reasons for the delay in getting timely intervention. Purpose This study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of risk factors and warning signs and symptoms of stroke among the general population. Method A self-structured questionnaire on stroke, risk factors of stroke and warning signs and symptoms of stroke was administered to 2,868 healthy individuals (65.83%; n = 1,888 males and 34.17%; n = 980 females) from Northeast India. A descriptive statistics approach was undertaken for data analysis. Results The mean age of the cohort was 43 ± 12.2 years. About 45.50% ( n = 1,305) of individuals were aware of stroke. Only 19.87% ( n = 570) of individuals correctly responded brain is the organ where a stroke occurs. Awareness about the risk factors of stroke was reported by only 26.11% ( n = 749) of individuals. High blood pressure (45.94%; n = 509) was found to be the common response in terms of risk factors of stroke. Further, 19.42% ( n = 557) individuals were aware of the warning signs and symptoms of stroke with paralysis on one side of the body as the most common response given by 37.97% ( n = 303) individuals. Knowledge regarding their own blood pressure, blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels was reported by 26.26% ( n = 753), 9.72% ( n = 279) and 2.79% ( n = 80) individuals, respectively. Conclusion Data from the survey suggested that there is scarce knowledge and awareness among the community adults regarding stroke, its risk factors and its alarming signs and symptoms. Awareness among the general public is of utmost importance for early recognition and treatment of stroke. Educating the vulnerable public can improve the chances of survival and recovery post-stroke.