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Assessment of Stroke Knowledge and Perceptions Within the Palestinian Community: A Cross-Sectional Study
Mohammad Abuawad1, Heba Faqih2, Hayat Nayfeh2
1Department of Biomedical Sciences and Basic Clinical Skills Faculty of Medicine and Allied Medical Sciences, An-Najah National University Nablus Palestine.
Health Science Reports
|August 12, 2026
Summary
Stroke knowledge is limited in Palestine, with over half the population demonstrating good understanding. Factors like discussing stroke risk with healthcare providers and higher education improve knowledge, while marriage and employment are linked to lower awareness.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Stroke is a significant global cause of disability and mortality, posing a growing concern in low- and middle-income countries like Palestine.
- Effective stroke management hinges on timely detection and immediate intervention to mitigate morbidity and mortality.
- Understanding community-level stroke knowledge is crucial for developing targeted public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the level of stroke knowledge within the Palestinian community.
- To identify the key determinants associated with stroke knowledge in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 1539 participants in Palestine from June to December 2025.
- Participants completed electronic or print questionnaires assessing stroke knowledge, scored from 0 to 35 (≥50% considered good knowledge).
- Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression to identify knowledge determinants.
Main Results:
- 54.1% of participants demonstrated good stroke knowledge (mean score 18.35 ± 8.97).
- Significant knowledge gaps were observed regarding stroke risk factors (40.4%), early symptoms (46.7%), and outcomes (47.7%).
- Factors positively associated with good stroke knowledge included discussing stroke risk with healthcare providers, higher education, higher income, and having a family history of stroke. Conversely, being married, employed, or a current smoker was associated with lower knowledge levels.
Conclusions:
- The Palestinian community exhibits a poor understanding of stroke symptoms, risk factors, and treatment.
- There is a clear need for coordinated public health education campaigns and community-based awareness initiatives.
- Addressing knowledge deficits is essential for improving stroke prevention and management in Palestine.
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