Stroke awareness and knowledge in an urban New Zealand population

Making Education Easy

Authors:

Bay JL et al.

October 20, 2015

Summary:

This study used a structured oral questionnaire to assess the awareness of stroke risk, symptoms, detection, and prevention behaviours in an urban New Zealand population. Although personal experience of stroke increased awareness of symptoms and their likeliness to indicate the need for urgent medical attention, only 42.7% of the respondents (n=850) identified stroke as involving both blood and the brain. Higher educational achievement (at or above a trade certificate, apprenticeship, or diploma) was associated with an increased level of awareness of stroke symptoms compared with not having any formal education. Pacific Island respondents were less likely than New Zealand Europeans to identify a number of stroke risk factors. Māori, Pacific Island, and Asian respondents were less likely to identify symptoms of stroke and indicate the need for urgent medical attention.

Comment:

For those people that know me, stroke prevention and management is a major area of research interest. What stood out for me were the findings showing a lower likelihood of having knowledge about stroke symptoms and importance of acute stroke care amongst the Māori respondents. I asked my aunty, who’d had a major stroke but stayed home, would she have done differently if someone had explained to her that acute treatment (such as stroke unit care) is.

Reference: J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2015;24(6):1153-62

Independent commentary by Dr. Matire Hardwood

Dr Matire Harwood (Ngapuhi) has worked in Hauora Māori, primary health and rehabilitation settings as clinician and researcher since graduating from Auckland Medical School in 1994. She also holds positions on a number of boards, committees and advisory groups including the Health Research Council. Matire lives in Auckland with her whānau including partner Haunui and two young children Te Rangiura and Waimarie.

Research Review publications are intended for New Zealand health professionals.

Disclaimer: This publication is not intended as a replacement for regular medical education but to assist in the process. The reviews are a summarised interpretation of the published study and reflect the opinion of the writer rather than those of the research group or scientific journal. It is suggested readers review the full trial data before forming a final conclusion on its merits.