A Cross Sectional Study To Assess The Knowledge Regarding Risk Factors and Warning Signs of Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke) Among Patients Attending The Out-Patient Departments in A Selected Tertiary Care Centre, Shillong, Meghalaya

Abstract Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA), commonly known as stroke, is defined as a sudden loss of blood flow to a part of the brain resulting in damage to brain tissue and corresponding neurological defects. Stroke remains the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability combined globally, with incident cases, deaths, and disability – adjusted life years (DALYs) all having reason substantially from 1990 to 2021. The World Stroke Organization reports that about 87% of stroke deaths and nearly 89% of stroke related (DALYs) occur in low and lower middle-income countries, reflecting a disproportionate burden on resource limited settings. A non-experimental cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the knowledge regarding risk factors and warning signs of Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke) among patients attending the Selected-Out Patient Departments of NEIGRIHMS, Shillong.160 participants were selected for the study by and the data was collected Systematic Random Sampling Technique using a structured self-administered questionnaire. The study reveals that the maximum participants have good knowledge regarding risk factors of cerebrovascular accident (stroke) 81 (50.6%) and maximum participants have average knowledge regarding warning signs of cerebrovascular accident (stroke) 68 (42.5%). From the study it was found that the respondents having higher educational status, young age (18-28years) had good knowledge regarding risk factors and warning signs of cerebrovascular accident (stroke).