Selecting the target and the message for a stroke public education campaign: a local survey conducted by neurologists

In order to determine the baseline knowledge of stroke among population (terminology, signs and symptoms, risk factors (RF) and attitude) to select the best target and message, prior to educational campaigns, a structured interview using close-ended questions was conducted by neurologists among 1000 users of several Primary Health Centers around our Hospital, randomly sampled. In our population 10.1% totally ignores the disease; of the remainder, 50% has a good knowledge of signs and symptoms and 37% of RF. To be a woman, (OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.2-2.5), the university education (OR: 6.6; 95% CI: 3.0-14.7), the age between 45 and 65 years (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.3-5.0) and to have an afflicted relative (OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.001-2.0) are associated with a better stroke knowledge. If symptoms are transient, there is a trend to contact primary physicians (43.5%). Less than a quarter of our population have a good knowledge of the disease. Stroke is considered an emergency unlike TIA. The benefits of public education and the best message for each target population are discussed.