J Korean Med Sci.  2016 Nov;31(11):1703-1710. 10.3346/jkms.2016.31.11.1703.

Public Awareness of Stroke and Its Predicting Factors in Korea: a National Public Telephone Survey, 2012 and 2014

• Oh GJ
• Moon J
• Lee YM
• Park HK
• Park KS
• Yun YW
• Kang G
• Kim BG
• Seo JH
• Lee H
• Lee WK
• Lee KS
• Kim HS
• Lee YH

• KMID: 2470264
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2016.31.11.1703

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate time trends in the public awareness of stroke and its predicting factors. The target population was 9,600 community-dwelling adults, aged 19-79 years, in 16 metropolitan cities and provinces in Korea. The survey samples in 2012 and 2014 were selected separately (entirely different sets of subjects) using a proportionate quota sampling method. Information concerning knowledge of stroke and demographics was collected by trained telephone interviewers using random digit dialing. After excluding subjects with a non-response or refusal to answer any question, the analyses included 8,191 subjects in 2012 and 8,127 subjects in 2014. Respondents' awareness of stroke warning signs (numbness or weakness, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, dizziness, visual impairment, and severe headache) was highest for difficulty speaking or understanding speech (80.9% in 2012 and 86.4% in 2014). There were significant increases in the proportion of respondents understanding the appropriate action (i.e., calling an ambulance) at the time of stroke occurrence (59.6% to 67.1%), and in the proportion aware of the general need for prompt treatment (86.7% to 89.8%). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, older age, higher education level, higher household income, current non-smoking, exposure to stroke-related public relations materials, and experience of stroke education were significantly associated with both high knowledge of stroke warning signs and awareness of the need for prompt treatment. Between 2012 and 2014, the public's awareness of stroke increased significantly. More specialized interventions, including public relations materials and education, should focus on subgroups who have lower stroke knowledge.

Keyword

Public; Awareness; Stroke; Warning Signs

MeSH Terms

Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Female
*Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Logistic Models
Male
Middle Aged
Odds Ratio
Republic of Korea
Smoking
Social Class
Stroke/*pathology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Telephone
Young Adult

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Compared with the recognition rates for each stroke warning sign in 2012, the recognition of warning signs (except numbness or weakness) increased significantly in 2014 (P < 0.001). The respondents’ awareness of stroke warning signs was highest for ‘difficulty speaking or understanding speech’ (80.9% in 2012 and 86.4% in 2014) and lowest for ‘severe headache’ (52.3% in 2012 and 57.4% in 2014).

• 

  Fig. 2 The respective proportions of those who were aware of 0 to 5 stroke warning signs were 6.4%, 6.8%, 13.3%, 21.5%, 27.0%, and 25.0% in 2012 and 5.6%, 5.3%, 10.8%, 18.6%, 29.0%, and 30.7% in 2014. The proportion of respondents with high knowledge of stroke warning signs (≥ 4 correct warning signs) increased significantly from 52.0% in 2012 to 59.7% in 2014 (P < 0.001).

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