Knowledge and perception of stroke amongst hospital workers in an African community

Abstract

This study demonstrates gaps in the knowledge of these hospital workers about stroke, and treatment choice influenced by cultural and religious beliefs. Health education is still important, even, amongst health workers and stroke awareness campaigns may need to involve faith-based organizations.

Challenges of the Management of Stroke in Sub Saharan Africa: Evaluating Awareness, Access and Action

“…In the study from Ghana, the organ of the body associated with stroke was noted to be the brain by 40%, the heart by 10% while other aspects of the body were mentioned by 44% [35]. This is similar to a study in Uganda where as much as 76% did not recognize stroke as a disease of the brain [42].…”

“…Some relatives of patients, or patients themselves while in the hospital, would initiate discharge against medical advice to go to herbalist homes for continuation of treatment [37] being 19% of the patients in one case [31]. Consequently, as much as 13%-14% of the respondents showed a preference for spiritual healing as against hospital treatment in some studies [35,36]. The role of traditional healing practices and practitioners in health care delivery in SSA therefore cannot be ignored and interestingly, this role is increasingly being recognized.…”

“…This belief spreads through other countries as shown in some of the studies. In a study carried out in Accra, 25% of the participants believed that stroke is a spiritual illness caused by evil spirits [35] same with 13.8% of the respondents in a Nigerian study [36]. These socio-cultural beliefs affect the healthseeking behaviour; hence, many of the stroke patients are taking to traditional healers or the church for healing.…”

“…In one study, surprisingly, lack of exercise was identified as the commonest factor (37%) while Diabetes was least cited as a stroke risk factor (13%) [35]. In addition, only 23% correctly listed one established stroke risk factor, 21% correctly listed two established risk factors, 14% correctly listed three established risk factors and 10% correctly listed four or more established risk factors for stroke [35]. In Uganda, the leading, risk factors identified by the participants were stress (36.6%) and hypertension (28.9%), respectively.…”

“…Concerning the stroke warning signs, numbness on one side was surprisingly identified as the commonest warning (44%) while unspecified pain was the least cited (11%) in one of the studies [35]. However, weakness (51.9%) was the most commonly identified warning sign in a Nigerian study [45].…”