Abstract:

Background: Knowledge of stroke, especially the risk factors and warning signs is important in the control of the disease. This knowledge vary between patients and are difficult to interpret, especially for non-health professionals. The aim of the study is to evaluate the knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs among teachers in the private primary schools in Moro Community, Ife North Local Government, Osun State, Nigeria.

Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study design involving the use of pre-tested 43- item, purpose designed, and self- administered questionnaires to collect information on knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs among the respondents. Data were collated and analyzed based on descriptive statistics.

Results: The result showed that the respondents generally demonstrated poor knowledge of risk factors (40.6%) and warning signs of stroke (41.5%). The most correctly identified risk factor of stroke was hypertension (73.3%) while the least correctly identified risk factor of stroke were obesity (28.1%) and increasing age (28.1%). Difficulty in speech (70.2%) was the most correctly recognized warning sign of stroke and the least correctly identified warning sign of stroke in this study was difficulty in understanding (31.6%).

Conclusion: This study reveals a poor awareness of knowledge of stroke warning signs and risk factors among the private primary school teachers. Therefore, considerable education is needed to increase public awareness and health education on stroke.

Keywords: Stroke, warning signs, risk factors, teachers.

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