Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #106505

Mohammad Shahbazi, PhD, MPH, CHES, Public Health, Jackson State University, 144 Apple Blossom Dr., Brandon, MS 39047, Allen Penman, MD, Msc, MPH, Jackson Heart Study, 350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave, Jackson Medical Mall, Jackson, MS 39213, Patricia Frye, MPH, MPA, CHES, MS Urban Research Center, Jackson State University, Jackson Medical Mall, Jackson, MS 39217, 601 368 2043, pmshahbazi@yahoo.com, and Sophia Leggett, PhD, MPH, Dept. of Public Health, Jackson State Univ., Jackson Medical Mall, Jackson, MS 39213.

Mississippi has one of the highest stroke mortality rates in the nation. In preparation for a community stroke education intervention, baseline surveys were undertaken in the intervention and control counties.

Random-digit-dialed telephone surveys were conducted on adults 18 and older sampled from the civilian, non-institutionalized populations of Warren (control) and Washington (intervention) counties, Mississippi. Using open-ended questions, respondents were asked about knowledge of stroke risk factors, stroke symptoms and signs, and actions to be taken in the event of a stroke. Data were analyzed (without weighting) using SPSS and SAS.

In both counties, approximately 80% of respondents stated that strokes could be prevented, but knowledge of specific stroke risk factors was poor. Less than 50% of respondents named hypertension, and knowledge of other risk factors was much poorer. Recognition of individual stroke warning signs was fair to poor: just under 50% named weakness or numbness and fewer than 25% named others such as dizziness or loss of vision. When responses were analyzed in aggregate, the results were very poor: only 2-3% could name all 5 major warning signs of stroke, and only 1-2% could name all signs correctly and state the correct action to be taken (call 911).

Awareness of stroke warning signs and knowledge of correct action to be taken in the event of a stroke are very poor. A major public education campaign will be needed before any system can be introduced to transport stroke patients rapidly to hospital.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will recognize that in rural, low income, medically underserved communities, such as those described here, a major public education campaign to raise levels of stroke awareness will be needed before any system can be introduced to transport stroke patients rapidly to hospital.

Keywords: Strokes,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.