Stroke Awareness and Knowledge Gaps in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, yet public awareness of stroke remains insufficient. This study aimed to assess the awareness of stroke among the general Saudi population. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online self-administered questionnaire targeting Saudi residents aged 18 years and older. The survey evaluated general stroke knowledge, recognition of warning signs, and understanding of potential complications. Results A total of 938 participants completed the survey, with a mean age of 28.53 years; 65.2% were female. Only 9% of the participants demonstrated high general awareness of stroke, while 61.4% scored low. Awareness of stroke as a medical emergency was high (92.6%), yet knowledge of complications was limited, with 67.5% scoring low. Female and single participants showed significantly higher knowledge levels (p < 0.05), and higher education was strongly associated with better awareness (p < 0.001). Conclusions The study revealed substantial gaps in stroke-related knowledge among the Saudi population, particularly among males, married individuals, and those with lower educational attainment. Targeted public health interventions are needed to improve awareness, focusing on culturally appropriate education that emphasizes early symptom recognition and risk factor management.