Knowledge and perception of stroke among hospital workers in an African community.

摘要

Stroke is now the second most common cause of death and the seventh leading cause of disability-adjusted life years. There is an increasing trend in stroke incidence rates from 1970 to 2008 with a 42% decrease in stroke incidence in high-income countries and a greater than 100% increase in stroke incidence in low to middle income countries. In 2000-2008, the overall stroke incidence rates in low to middle income countries have, for the first time, exceeded the level of stroke incidence seen in high-income countries, by 20%. The decreased stroke incidence in high-income countries is likely to be due to a decline in the prevalence of modifiable risk factors at population level, but risk factor reduction was failed transferring to deprived socioeconomic groups. Stroke awareness in the general population, among patients at risk, and among professionals is a key factor of quality of care in whatsoever country. A study reported in this issue of the European Journal of Neurology shows that knowledge of warning signs and risk factors for stroke remains poor among Nigerian hospital workers. Results of other recently published surveys documented that community awareness and knowledge about stroke remains poor, mainly among elderly, blacks and racial/ethnic minorities, who are at highest risk.