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
