Stroke Awareness: Symptoms and Risks in Central Malaysia's Rural Areas

| Posted in: Science

Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Assessing the Awareness on Symptoms and Risk Factors of Stroke amongst Rural Community in Central Region of Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Survey
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
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Original source:

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Author:

Nik Nasihah Nik Ramli, Deviga Genasan, Norzawani Shafika Rossman


The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:

(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)

Full text available for: Assessing the Awareness on Symptoms and Risk Factors of Stroke amongst Rural Community in Central Region of Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Year: 2024 | Doi: 10.21315/mjms2024.31.1.13

Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0


Download the PDF file of the original publication


Summary of article contents:

Introduction

Stroke is the third leading cause of mortality in Malaysia, necessitating urgent medical attention due to its potential to cause significant brain damage and death. A recent report has highlighted the prevalence of pre-hospital delays among stroke patients, primarily attributed to a lack of awareness regarding the symptoms and risk factors associated with stroke. While assessments of stroke awareness have been carried out in urban populations, there remains a notable gap in understanding awareness levels among rural populations, which was the focus of this study conducted in the rural districts of Selangor, Malaysia.

Awareness and Action Toward Stroke Symptoms

The findings reveal that while a high percentage of respondents (96.2%) recognized stroke as a medical emergency, only 36.44% could accurately identify all stroke symptoms. Additionally, although most respondents were aware of calling emergency services as the correct action to be taken in a stroke situation, only 31.8% indicated they would do so. This gap underscores the critical need for education, particularly in rural communities, to increase awareness and encourage prompt action during stroke incidents. The study found that effective public education campaigns could help address these deficits and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Conclusion

In summary, the awareness of stroke symptoms and appropriate responses in rural Selangor is alarmingly low, with socio-demographic factors such as level of income and familiarity with stroke patients impacting knowledge levels. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing targeted health promotion initiatives and community health screenings to enhance awareness of stroke risk factors and symptoms. By addressing these educational gaps, the aim is to reduce the incidence of pre-hospital delays that can result in severe health consequences for stroke patients, thereby mitigating overall morbidity and mortality associated with cerebrovascular diseases in rural populations.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What is the current awareness level of stroke among rural populations?

The study indicates a poor level of awareness regarding stroke symptoms and risk factors among the rural population in Selangor, Malaysia, with only 36.44% identifying all stroke symptoms correctly.

What demographic factors influence awareness of stroke risk in Malaysia?

Income level, smoking status, and acquaintance with stroke patients significantly influence awareness levels of stroke risk factors and symptoms among individuals in rural communities.

What actions do people take when recognizing stroke symptoms?

While 96.2% of respondents acknowledged stroke as an emergency, 60.9% believed taking the patient to a hospital was appropriate, while only 31.8% recognized that calling an ambulance was the correct action.

What were the most recognized stroke risk factors in the study?

The most recognized stroke risk factors among respondents included hypertension (88.3%), stress (81.6%), and hypercholesterolemia (81%). However, many participants misidentified cough as a stroke risk factor.

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Stroke Awareness: Symptoms and Risks in Central Malaysia's Rural Areas”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Table:
The term 'Table' refers to structured data presentation, often used in research to summarize results and findings, making it easier for readers to digest information. In the context of the text, it indicates organized displays of data such as demographics, risk factors, and associated statistics regarding stroke awareness and characteristics of respondents.

2) Study (Studying):
Studying indicates the process of learning or investigating particular subjects. Here, it reflects the effort involved in researching health topics such as stroke awareness. Continuous studying and research are essential in gaining insights that inform public health strategies and enhance the effectiveness of educational interventions.

3) Knowledge:
Knowledge represents the understanding and awareness a person possesses regarding topics like health, symptoms, and risk factors. In the context of stroke, knowledge is crucial since it influences how individuals recognize symptoms and respond to emergencies, ultimately impacting treatment outcomes and survival rates during stroke events.

4) Sign:
The term 'Sign' refers to observable indicators of health conditions, including symptoms that can aid diagnosis. In stroke discussions, recognizing signs such as face drooping or speech difficulties is essential for immediate medical response, as timely action can significantly affect the patient's recovery and minimize long-term disabilities.

5) Education:
Education highlights the process of gaining knowledge and skills, particularly regarding health awareness. In relation to stroke, educational initiatives play a critical role in improving public understanding of symptoms and risk factors, which can lead to faster recognition and appropriate responses to stroke incidents, potentially saving lives.

6) Perception:
Perception refers to how individuals understand and interpret information, which significantly affects their actions. In healthcare contexts, a person’s perception of stroke risks and symptoms can determine their likelihood to seek timely medical help, making it crucial for educational campaigns to shape positive perceptions surrounding stroke awareness.

7) Disease:
A disease signifies a pathological condition that disrupts normal bodily functions. The text discusses cerebrovascular diseases, specifically strokes, which are serious medical emergencies requiring immediate intervention. Understanding disease mechanisms and associated risk factors is vital for public education to minimize incidence rates and improve health outcomes.

8) Blood:
Blood is the fluid that circulates through the cardiovascular system, transporting nutrients, oxygen, and hormones. In the context of stroke, maintaining a healthy blood flow is essential, as blockages or ruptures in blood vessels can lead to ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes, underscoring the importance of awareness regarding cardiovascular health.

9) Family:
Family refers to the familial unit, which can influence individuals' health awareness and behaviors. The text highlights how acquaintanceship with stroke patients can enhance individuals' understanding of stroke risks and symptoms, thus improving familiarity, prompting awareness campaigns, and fostering supportive health-seeking behaviors within communities.

10) Cancer:
Cancer, while not directly the focus of the study, is included as a context for health awareness. The reference serves to underscore the importance of understanding various health conditions, like stroke and cancer, emphasizing a broader necessity for public health education and the assessment of health awareness levels across different diseases.

11) Rules:
In research and public health, rules provide guidelines and protocols to ensure safety, ethical standards, and accurate data collection. Understanding rules pertaining to ethical research practices is crucial in studies examining health awareness and intervention effectiveness, as these rules guide proper conduct and contribute to the integrity of health education initiatives.

12) Cina:
China is referenced as a comparative context regarding stroke awareness and healthcare challenges. The inclusion illustrates how regional differences in health knowledge can impact emergency response times to stroke incidents. Understanding such differences can guide targeted educational efforts in specific populations, including rural communities that may have distinct healthcare needs.

13) Science (Scientific):
Science embodies the systematic study of the natural world through observation and experimentation. The research discussed in the text adheres to scientific methodologies, emphasizing the importance of data-driven approaches in understanding stroke awareness levels and informing future healthcare interventions aimed at improving community knowledge on stroke symptoms.

14) Shami (Sami):
Shami indicates an author or a contributor to the study referenced in the text. The mention of Shami is vital in establishing credibility, attributing research findings to qualified individuals, and allowing readers to trace back the methodology, analysis, and academic rigor associated with the study on stroke awareness.

15) Pur:
In the context of stroke awareness, 'poor' refers to insufficient understanding or knowledge of stroke symptoms and risk factors. The study's findings stress that poor awareness among rural populations can lead to delayed medical responses, highlighting a critical need for enhanced educational strategies to improve public health awareness and outcomes.

16) Measurement:
Measurement pertains to the quantification of data in research. Accurate measurement of stroke awareness levels using validated instruments is essential in the study to derive meaningful conclusions, guide future interventions, and assess the effectiveness of educational programs aimed at increasing public awareness about the risks and signs of stroke.

17) Diet:
Diet encompasses the food and drink habits of individuals, which play a critical role in health. In the discussion of strokes, diet is often linked to modifiable risk factors such as obesity and hypertension. Awareness and education surrounding healthy dietary choices can mitigate stroke risks, emphasizing public health implications.

18) Hand:
Hand symbolizes both a physical component of the human body and a metaphorical reference to actions people take, such as responsiveness to medical emergencies. Recognizing hand-related symptoms of strokes, like weakness, is crucial for timely intervention, which can dramatically affect recovery outcomes for stroke patients.

19) Developing:
Developing, in the context of the study, refers to nations or regions undergoing economic and health system advancements. Understanding how awareness about conditions like stroke varies in developing areas allows for tailored public health strategies that address unique challenges these populations face in achieving adequate health literacy and response resources.

20) Medicine:
Medicine denotes the field dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illnesses. In the text, the mention of medicine highlights the importance of medical knowledge in recognizing stroke symptoms and facilitating urgent medical help, emphasizing the need for a well-informed public to support healthcare providers effectively.

21) Vomiting:
Vomiting, mentioned as a mistaken stroke symptom, emphasizes the importance of accurately recognizing true symptoms to differentiate causes. Misidentifying conditions that require urgent medical attention can delay appropriate responses to actual stroke events, highlighting the need for improved education and awareness surrounding stroke risks and manifestations in the community.

22) Sharman (Sarma, Sharma, Sarman):
Sharma points to an author involved in the research study. Recognizing individual contributors like Sharma establishes legitimacy and academic integrity in the report. It also aids readers in tracing research lineage and verifying findings in the context of increasing stroke awareness within the populations studied.

23) Death:
Death is a critical outcome related to stroke, often resulting from delayed recognition and treatment. The association of death with stroke emphasizes the urgency for educational initiatives aimed at increasing awareness, understanding symptoms, and fostering prompt medical action to significantly reduce mortality rates in affected populations.

24) Jaya:
Jaya likely refers to a geographical or cultural identifier relevant within the Malaysian context. Such identifiers can play a role in understanding local health practices, community health awareness, and responsiveness regarding conditions like strokes, thus informing targeted educational outreach strategies tailored to specific populations.

25) Raja:
Raja is a title denoting royalty or leadership, possibly alluding to cultural contexts or health initiatives in Malaysia. Incorporating traditional and cultural influences in health education is vital for the acceptance and effectiveness of interventions aimed at increasing stroke awareness in diverse communities throughout the region.

26) Shan (San):
Shan may refer to an author or contributor involved in the research. Recognizing the contributions of authors like Shan enhances the credibility of the study and establishes a framework for readers to explore further research efforts connected to stroke awareness and community health education initiatives.

27) Post:
Post indicates the subsequent phase following an event, such as post-treatment recovery or post-educational intervention outcomes. Understanding the post-conditions for stroke patients is crucial when assessing the effectiveness of health education campaigns aimed at improving knowledge and promoting faster responses to stroke emergencies.

28) Male:
Male refers to one gender group in the population surveyed. Understanding male health behaviors, particularly regarding stroke, can help tailor specific educational strategies. The study's demographic data may reveal differences in awareness levels and health-seeking behavior based on gender, influencing targeted health outreach initiatives.

29) Transformation (Transform, Transforming):
Transformation denotes significant change, often referring to health conditions or medical states. In stroke discussions, the transformation of a medical condition due to delayed treatment, such as the potential for hemorrhagic transformation after ischemic strokes, underscores the necessity of timely responses associated with improved public awareness.

30) Reliability:
Reliability refers to the consistency of a measurement instrument used in research. In the context of stroke awareness studies, ensuring high reliability of questionnaires is crucial for obtaining valid data, which ultimately supports the implementation of effective educational programs and interventions tailored toward improving community knowledge.

31) Discussion:
Discussion encompasses the analysis and interpretation of research findings. It provides a forum for examining the implications of stroke awareness levels identified in the study, guiding future health improvement strategies. Engaging in discussions promotes critical thinking regarding health interventions and resource allocation in communities.

32) Swallowing:
Swallowing is a bodily function often affected by stroke, particularly when it involves difficulties, known as dysphagia. Awareness of swallowing difficulties serves as a stroke symptom and recognizing it can assist in immediate evaluation during medical emergencies, reinforcing the importance of public education regarding total stroke symptomology.

33) Suffering:
Suffering refers to the physical or emotional distress caused by medical conditions such as strokes. Acknowledging the suffering associated with strokes emphasizes the need for increased public awareness and action to improve recognition of symptoms, ultimately leading to timely medical intervention and better health outcomes.

34) Language:
Language is a medium of communication crucial for education and understanding health-related information. The study's use of language, such as translating materials into the national language, aims to enhance comprehension among diverse populations, facilitating necessary health knowledge dissemination regarding stroke awareness and symptoms.

35) Village:
Village signifies rural community settings that were central to the study. It reflects the importance of understanding unique demographic and health-related challenges prevalent in villages, guiding targeted interventions that address community-specific needs related to stroke awareness and health education, improving local healthcare outcomes.

36) Quality:
Quality refers to the standard of health care and educational resources available to communities. Fostering quality awareness initiatives regarding stroke signs and risk factors can significantly improve recognition and responses in emergencies, emphasizing the need for reliable health information and educational materials tailored to community contexts.

37) Meeting:
Meeting denotes a gathering, which can be crucial for discussing health issues or community awareness efforts. Engaging communities through meetings can enhance knowledge about strokes, encouraging dialogue, collaboration among health professionals, and fostering supportive environments for health education and improvement in community health outcomes.

38) Reason:
Reason encompasses the rationale behind certain behaviors or health practices. In the context of stroke awareness, understanding the reasons individuals may not respond appropriately to symptoms can inform targeted interventions and educational programming aimed at improving response behaviors and reducing delays in seeking medical attention.

39) Medium:
Medium can refer to an intermediary channel for communication or transport. In health awareness campaigns, using multiple mediums (like social media, brochures, and community workshops) to convey stroke education can enhance reach and effectiveness, fostering greater public understanding and timely responses to stroke symptoms.

40) Indian:
Indian refers to an ethnic group prominently present in Malaysia, where cultural factors may influence health behaviors and awareness. Understanding the specific health-related challenges and knowledge gaps within Indian populations helps tailor effective stroke awareness programs that respect cultural contexts and utilize appropriate communication strategies.

41) Rashmi (Rasmi):
Rasmi indicates an official designation potentially related to governmental or institutional roles influencing health policy. References to Rasmi highlight the importance of official recognition and standards in implementing health awareness initiatives, reinforcing the necessity for structured programs aligned with public health goals in diverse communities.

42) Food:
Food is a critical consideration regarding health. Dietary choices significantly impact individual risk factors for diseases, including strokes. Promoting awareness about healthy eating and nutritional choices can reduce obesity and hypertension rates, thus mitigating stroke risks in communities and enhancing overall public health outcomes.

43) Peng:
Peng may refer to a contributor or a name relevant within the context of the study or community analysis. Acknowledging individuals such as Peng in research highlights the collaborative effort needed to address stroke awareness, underscoring the importance of diverse contributions to health initiatives.

44) Salt (Salty):
Salt is often linked to dietary habits and health risks, particularly hypertension, which is a major stroke risk factor. Raising awareness about the implications of high salt intake can influence dietary education strategies aimed at reducing stroke prevalence, enhancing public understanding of nutrition and health interrelations.

Other Science Concepts:

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Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Stroke Awareness: Symptoms and Risks in Central Malaysia's Rural Areas’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:

Health, Blood flow, Family history, Diabetes mellitus, Healthcare system, Diabetes, Alcohol consumption, Urban population, Statistical analysis, Sedentary lifestyle, Lack of exercise, Warning signs, Rural population, Public education, Rural area, Pilot study, General population, Health Promotion, Smoking cessation, Ischaemic Stroke, Health awareness, Emergency condition, Stroke, Hypertension, Emergency room, Cerebrovascular disease, Smoking habit, Validated questionnaire, Cross-sectional survey, Sociodemographic characteristics, Interpersonal relationship, Hypercholesterolemia, Hemiparesis, Risk factor, Health hazard, Haemorrhagic Stroke, Multiple linear regression, Tertiary care centre, Correlation analysis, Atrial Fibrillation, Modifiable risk factor, Descriptive analysis, Acute ischaemic stroke, Non-modifiable risk factors, Reperfusion therapy, Income level, Health awareness campaign, Awareness level, Acute stroke, Stroke awareness, Stroke symptoms, Stroke risk, Sample size formula, Emergency Medical Service, Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, Sedentary behaviour, Tertiary Care, Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator, Community health screening, Stroke warning signs, Awareness on stroke, Primary caregiver, Non-smoker, Demographic characteristic.

Concepts being referred in other categories, contexts and sources.

Awareness, Sudden confusion.

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