Public knowledge of stroke among the adult population in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia

Abstract Background Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is cut off or reduced. When this occurs, brain cells die due to a shortage of nutrients and oxygen. Stroke is a serious brain illness and is the primary cause of long-term impairment. Globally, 80 million stroke cases were reported in 2016. However, limited research has been conducted to assess the general awareness of stroke in adults. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate public knowledge of stroke in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in the western region of Saudi Arabia between October and November 2023. Data were gathered using a previously validated questionnaire distributed through social media platforms. The sample size was 957 participants. Knowledge was assessed using an 18-item score, and good knowledge was defined as a score ≥ 80%.This high threshold was chosen based on Bloom's taxonomy to identify individuals with a comprehensive, actionable level of knowledge. Results The results show that a major percentage of respondents (76.8%) are aware of what a stroke is, although only 7.9% are knowledgeable about it using Bloom's taxonomy as criteria. Key findings include their knowledge about what a stroke is and its risk factors, although not much about treatments. Conclusion There is an identified need to develop specific educational campaigns to improve knowledge about stroke, particularly in the less privileged and elderly populations. Future studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of these educational interventions.