Factors Influencing Stroke Awareness among Patients with Hypertension in a Tertiary Hospital of Nepal: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke is the leading cause of death and disability globally. Hypertension is one of the major risk factors contributing to stroke. Therefore, awareness of stroke among patients with hypertension is essential for the prevention of stroke and if necessary the initiation of immediate effective treatment. We aimed to determine the current status and factors predicting stroke awareness among patients with hypertension.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 163 patients with hypertension who attended the out-patient clinic of the Medicine department of Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur, Chitwan from March to April 2016. Data were collected by using semi-structured interview schedule. Descriptive statistics was used to identify the status of stroke awareness among patients with hypertension and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with stroke awareness.

Results: Of total 163 participants, stroke awareness was poor among 61.3%. In bivariate analysis awareness was significantly associated with age (p=0.017), educational status (p=0.005), level of education (p=0.006), occupation (p=0.001), place of residence (p=0.011), source of information  [nurses (p=0.027) and internet (p<0.001)]. Regression analysis showed that education status [p=0.028; odds ratio (OR) 0.348, confidence interval (CI) 0.135-0.894] and internet as a source of information (p=0.003; OR 22.38; 95% CI 2.799-178.995) were the factors predicting stroke awareness.

Conclusion: Stroke awareness among patients with hypertension attending a tertiary care hospital of Central Nepal was commonly poor. Education status and internet as a source of information of stroke were significantly influencing good stroke awareness.