Stroke knowledge and awareness among adults in the West Bank: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Stroke, or cerebrovascular disease, stands as one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and the fourth leading cause in the West Bank, accounting for approximately 12.1% of all deaths. There is scarce information about the level of knowledge and awareness of stroke among Palestinians in the West Bank. This study aims to identify knowledge gaps to support the development of preventive strategies.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted across the West Bank between September and December 2024. A sample of 513 participants from various regions of the West Bank completed a self-report questionnaire assessing knowledge of stroke symptoms, risk factors, prevention, management, and sources of information. Data were analyzed using SPSS software.

RESULTS

Most participants (93.4%) correctly identified the brain as the organ affected by stroke, and 77.4% knew that stroke can reoccur. Only 5.3% knew the 4.5-h treatment window for stroke intervention. Hypertension was the most recognized risk factor (95.3%), followed by chronic stress (86.4%) and high cholesterol (79.3%). Confusion (92.0%), numbness (88.3%), facial deviation (83.8%) and vomiting (56.5%) were the most recognized symptoms, whereas 49.1% incorrectly identified nosebleeds as a stroke symptom. Regarding the response to stroke, 40% of the participants would call an ambulance, whereas 34% would take the patient to the hospital. Significant gaps in knowledge were associated with information sources, as participants relying on healthcare providers had significantly higher knowledge scores than those relying on the internet, friends, or other sources.

CONCLUSION

Significant gaps in knowledge were detected, particularly regarding treatment urgency and symptom recognition. Our findings emphasize the need for targeted public health campaigns, especially among high-risk groups in the West Bank.