Abstract:

Introduction: Stroke is the major cause of death worldwide with hypertension being identified as an important modifiable risk factor. Prompt identification of stroke symptoms and risk factors and timely management is noted to be significant in lowering both morbidity and mortality. Baseline knowledge of stroke in hypertensive patients is crucial to develop effectively targeted and appropriate health promotion campaigns; thus, the main objectives of this study are to assess the knowledge of stroke among hypertensive patients.

Materials and methods: A standardized questionnaire survey regarding knowledge about stroke among hypertensive patients were conducted in a regional referral hospital of mororgoro. The sample size was calculated as 316.

Results: Out of 316 patients evaluated, 90.5% had heard about stroke, 81.6% knew someone with stroke, and 74.7% identified the brain as the organ affected. Sudden onset numbness of limbs/arms (88.9%) and hypertension (85.1%) were common warning symptom and risk factor identified. 96.8% would take stroke patients to hospital. 81.8% of the patients took their medication regularly, and 77.5% checked their blood pressure regularly.

Conclusion: Majority of hypertensive patients were aware of stroke but the awareness of risk factors and warning signs was poor. Stroke prevention practice was also sub optimal. There is a need to increase knowledge regarding risk factors, which will benefit the community at lar