Stroke awareness in Egypt: a survey-based study

Abstract Background Awareness about stroke symptoms and management is an important and pivotal step in any stroke service as it will positively affect onset to door, which will affect rates of thrombolysis and thrombectomy, reduce mortality, and improve outcomes. The current study aimed to explore public knowledge about acute stroke in Egypt and how it is dealt with. Methods A cross-sectional observational survey-based study was conducted throughout 6 months starting from May 2023. An online Google form was disseminated via WhatsApp and different social media services assessing the public and healthcare professionals’ awareness about stroke symptoms, risk factors, how, where, when, and who to deal with it. Results 2109 submissions were received. Mean age was 34.3 (± 11.8). Females represented 67.4%. Health care professionals were 12.8%. Participants with a close family history of stroke were 29.2%. Less than half of the responders gave correct answers to most of the questions. Hypertension was the only risk factor to get a consensus higher than 50%, while only 27% recognized diabetes as a risk factor. Only 14.1% realized the term ‘transient ischemic attack’ yet, 68.2% agreed upon seeking medical advice if encountered. 50.2% defined a neurologist as the one to deal with stroke. Healthcare professionals’ answers were more accurate yet still deficient in the time window, route of administration of thrombolytic therapy, and specialty to deal with stroke. Conclusions This study throws light on the lack of awareness about stroke that ought to be properly dealt with so as to reflect on stroke thrombolysis rates, management and outcome.