A complete report of the results of this research is available in:
Hux, K., Rogers, T., & Mongar, K.  (2000). Common perceptions about strokes. Journal of Community Health, 25, 47-65.

Abstract
The frequency with which strokes occur and the devastating effects they can have make provision of general stroke information an essential element of public health education. This survey study sought to explore the general public's knowledge about various aspects of strokes. Results indicated that approximately two-thirds of the survey respondents could provide correct or partially correct explanations of stroke physiology and could name at least one stroke warning sign; over 90% could name at least one stroke risk factor and one functional consequence of stroke. Most respondents reported acquiring information about strokes through personal acquaintances, popular media, or general life experiences rather than from professionals or as part of their formal schooling. Some respondents had misconceptions about physiological processes, risk factors, warning signs, and functional consequences of strokes.

Purpose
The purpose of this survey study was to determine the general public's knowledge of:

• the physiological processes associated with strokes
• stroke risk factors
• stroke warning signs
• the functional consequences of strokes

Method
Participants = 190 adults

• n = 64 males
• n = 126 females

• 89.42% Caucasian
• 4.76% African-American
• 3.18% Hispanic-American
• 1.59% Asian-American
• 1.06% Native American

• n = 62 were less than 40 years
• n = 89 were between 40 and 59 years
• n = 39 were 60 years or older

• 42.63% had 12 years of schooling or less
• 57.37% had 13 to 20 years of schooling

Procedure
Survey instrument:

• 4 open-ended, free-recall questions
• 27 yes/no statements about strokes and their causes, risk factors, warning signs, and consequences
• respondents provided demographic information, indicated whether they were acquainted with someone who had sustained a stroke, and identified where they obtained information about strokes

Results
Physiological Processes of Strokes

Correct free-recall response

• strokes are a disruption of the blood supply to the brain.

• a stroke affects the brain.
• a stroke relates to a disruption of the blood supply without specification of the brain.

• I donít know
• statements identifying an incorrect organ system or physiological process.

Computation of chi-squares revealed that adults with a college education were more likely to provide correct explanations than adults with twelve or fewer years of education (c2 obs.= 7.00; p ? .05).

Risk Factors of Strokes
 

Figure 2. Percent of respondents who named various factors as risks to strokes.

Chi-square analyses revealed significant differences in awareness of the risk factor of heredity between people with more versus less than 12 years of education (c2 obs.= 5.34; p ? .05), and among young, middle-aged, and elderly adults (c2 obs.= 6.24; p ? .05). The only other significant difference was that male respondents were more likely than female respondents to name excessive alcohol consumption as a risk factor (c2 obs.= 3.98; p ? .05).

Warning Signs of Strokes
 

Figure 3. Percent of respondents who named various factors as stroke warning signs.

The chi-square analyses revealed no significant differences between groups of respondents in the free recall of warning signs.

Functional Consequences of Strokes
 

Figure 4. Percent of respondents who named various functional consequences to strokes.

Chi-square analyses revealed that young, middle-aged, and elderly adults differed in identifying speech impairment as a stroke consequence (c2 obs.= 7.40; p ? .05). Also, those adults acquainted with stroke survivors stated memory loss as a stroke consequence significantly more frequently than respondents who did not know any stroke survivors (c2 obs.= 4.87; p ? .05), but these respondents named brain damage as a consequence significantly less frequently than their peers not acquainted with stroke survivors (c2 obs. = 7.37; p ? .01). Finally, male respondents were significantly more likely than female respondents to name death as a stroke effect (c2 obs.= 9.79; p ? .01).

Sources of Stroke Information
 

Figure 5. Percent of respondents who obtained information about strokes from various sources.

Chi-square analyses of information sources revealed three significant differences dealing with respondentsí age groups. One additional significant difference emerged between respondents with different levels of education; those with 12 years of education or less gave responses in the "general life experiences" category more frequently than those with more than 12 years of education.

Discussion
The general population continues to need education about strokes. All health care providers need to assume responsibility for educating the general public and need to target the following issues:

• Identification of the brain as the affected organ
• Identification of a disruption of the brainís blood supply as the mechanism of injury
• Recognition of age, race, diabetes, heart disease, and alcohol abuse as stroke risk factors in addition to high blood pressure, smoking, and high cholesterol
• Awareness of the availability of medication and medical interventions to decrease the risk of strokes
• Discrimination of warning signs of strokes from warning signs of other medical conditions and emergencies
• Recognition of strokes as medical emergencies
• Recognition of specific functional consequences of strokes, such as language impairment, in addition to one-sided paralysis and speaking difficulty.

---

University of  Nebraska - Lincoln

UNL  TBI Homepage