KUMJ | VOL. 20 | NO. 2 | ISSUE 78 | APRIL - JUNE 2022
Knowledge of Stroke among Hypertensive Patients in Dhulikhel
Nepal GM, Chand P, Poudel K, Acharya SR
Abstract: Background
More than 50% of patients with stroke have hypertension, a common modifiable risk
factor for stroke. Studies reported that 90% of diagnosed hypertensive patients do
not seek for treatment in Nepal and the reason for this remains unexplored. There
is a possibility that lack of knowledge of stroke and its potential causes may be the
reason.
Objective
To assess the knowledge of stroke in a group of patients with hypertension in
suburban Nepal.
Method
Hypertensive patients visiting a tertiary care hospital in Nepal were approached
and were included if they were 18 years or older. We used the Nepali version of
‘Awareness of Stroke, Risk Factors, and Treatment’ questionnaire to assess the
knowledge of stroke. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the results.
Result
A total of 273 patients were included with the mean age of 56 years. Almost half
(48%) of the patients were uneducated. We found that only 24% of the patients
identified brain as an organ affected by stroke, only 32% were aware about more
than one warning signs of stroke, 64% reported that they were unaware of the
treatment options for stroke and only 5% reported control of blood pressure as a
part of stroke management. The commonest reported identifiable risk factor for
hypertension was high blood pressure (44%).
Conclusion
There are significant knowledge gaps regarding stroke in hypertensive patients.
Although most patients recognized hypertension as a risk factor for stroke, they were
unaware of treatment options. Increasing awareness of hypertension as a risk factor
for stroke may help to prevent the stroke burden in Nepal.
Keyword : Awareness, Hypertension, Knowledge, Stroke
