Community Medicine Abstracts - College of Medicine and Health ...

Project No. 158 (A-1999/0)The Level of Awareness of Stroke and Its Risk Factors in Al Ain City, UAEStudent Authors: Eman Rashed Deemas, Muna Obaid Al-BedawiFaculty Supervisors: Dr. P. Badrinath, Dr. A. BenerAbstract:Objective To study the level of knowledge and awareness of stroke and its risk factorsamong subjects attending primary health care centers in Al-Ain City (United ArabEmirates).Methods Cross sectional survey. Subjects were attending primary health centers, aged30 years old or above.Results From the 132 subjects, 57% recognized the term stroke, and there was nogender difference in stroke recognition. Smokers seem to recognize the term strokemore than the non-smokers do, and high proportion of subjects with family history ofstroke recognized the term stroke (87%). The educational level has a significant rolein gaining knowledge about stroke. More than 40% did not know that male gender isa risk factor. However, more than 90% recognized hypertension as a risk factor forstroke. More than 70% knew about 4 presenting symptoms, more than 50% knew allthe symptoms. Males were significantly more knowledgeable about stroke using theoverall stroke score as the outcome variable compared to females.Conclusion From our study, we noticed that one fourth of the study subjects sufferedfrom hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or both. And nearly 60% of study subjectsrecognized the term stroke. Smokers, males and those who have family history ofstroke seem to know more about stroke compared to the general population.Nationals are less educated compared to non-nationals, while the income levels aremuch higher in nationals.