Stroke awareness in a Brazilian Northeastern capital city and the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background The delay in recognizing stroke symptoms is a significant obstacle to receiving acute treatment. Therefore, it is essential to understand the gaps in the knowledge about stroke among the general population and promote campaigns based on these gaps.

Objective To investigate the general knowledge about stroke in a capital in Northeastern Brazil in a sample of individuals who attended a public hospital and the impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the use of emergency services.

Methods We included patients older than 18 years of age and their family members and/or companions. After obtaining consent, the researcher presented a typical case of stroke, and the participants filled out a questionnaire divided into 2 sections: sociodemographic data and 15 questions about stroke detection and seeking health services and treatment.

Results We included 154 individuals with a mean age of 44.45 ± 16.21 years. After presenting the case, 60.4% mentioned the acronym AVC (acidente vascular cerebral, or cerebrovascular accident [stroke], in Portuguese) as a possible explanation, and 54.5% reported that they would call the Mobile Emergency Care Service. However, 62.9% provided the incorrect telephone number for the Mobile Emergency Care Service or lacked knowledge of the accurate number. Regarding the risk factors for stroke, 27.9% did not know any of them, 65.5% were unaware of any treatment, and no reference was made to thrombolytic therapy. About their chosen conduct in the same case in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, 98.1% of the participants would not change their behavior.

Conclusion These results can assist in the planning of public policies and campaigns emphasizing the issue of risk factors and how to access emergency medical services in the state of Alagoas, Brazil.

Resumo

Antecedentes O atraso no reconhecimento dos sinais do acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) é um dos principais obstáculos para receber o tratamento de fase aguda. Portanto, é importante compreender as lacunas no conhecimento da população sobre o AVC e promover campanhas de acordo com essas lacunas.

Objetivo Investigar o conhecimento geral sobre o AVC em uma amostra de indivíduos acompanhados em um hospital público de uma capital do Nordeste brasileiro e o impacto da pandemia de doença do coronavírus 2019 (coronavirus disease 2019 - COVID-19, em inglês) na utilização dos serviços de emergência.

Métodos Foram incluídos pacientes acima de 18 anos e seus acompanhantes e/ou familiares. Após a assinatura do termo de consentimento, o pesquisador apresentou um caso típico de AVC, e os participantes responderam um questionário dividido em 2 partes: dados sociodemográficos e 15 perguntas sobre o reconhecimento do AVC, procura por serviços de saúde e tratamento.

Resultados Foram incluídos 154 participantes com idade média de 44,45 ± 16,21 anos. Após a apresentação do caso, 60,4% mencionaram AVC como uma possível explicação, e 54,5% chamariam o Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência (SAMU). Entretanto, 62,9% erraram ou não sabiam o número do SAMU. Quanto aos fatores de risco de desenvolver AVC, 27,9% não sabiam identificar nenhum, 65,5% não conheciam qualquer tratamento, e não houve menção ao tratamento trombolítico. Com relação à conduta no mesmo caso, mas no contexto da pandemia de COVID-19, 98,1% dos participantes não mudariam sua conduta.

Conclusão Os resultados deste estudo podem auxiliar no planejamento de políticas públicas com ênfase em campanhas sobre os fatores de risco e o acionamento do SAMU em Alagoas, Brasil.

Keywords

Stroke - Health Education - Risk Factors - Knowledge

Palavras-chave

Acidente Vascular Cerebral - Educação em Saúde - Fatores de Risco - Conhecimento

Authors' Contributions

LJAR, MTBM, RGP: data curation, formal analysis, investigation, methodology, and writing –review and editing; SMR, OMPN, ER: conceptualization, formal analysis, project administration, and writing – review and editing; JAOB: data curation, formal analysis, investigation, methodology, writing of the original draft, and writing – review and editing.

Publication History

Received: 31 October 2023

Accepted: 27 April 2024

Article published online:
08 August 2024

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