[Changes in the perception of risk factors for stroke in the German population between 1995-1996 and 2000-2001. Results of two representative EMNID surveys].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Stroke is one of the leading causes for death and disability worldwide. A better understanding of the perception of modifiable stroke risk factors in the population is the first step to initiate effective prevention strategies on population level. Changes over 5 years in the risk perception in the general population were investigated by two representative surveys in Germany.

METHODS

Nationwide programs to screen voluntary participants for stroke risk were undertaken in 1995-1996 and 2000-2001 by the German Stroke Foundation, in cooperation with the health insurance company BARMER and the Sanofi-Synthelabo Company. As part of these programmes two surveys were performed by TNS-EMNID to collect data on population knowledge. A representative sample of the German population was selected and asked to categorize their perception of stroke risk for common vascular risk factors.

RESULTS

A total of 8193 participants were interviewed (4081 in 1995-1996 and 4112 in 2000-2001); 43.5% were (3) 50 years of age and 52.5% were female. Hypertension was rated by 68.3% to be in the highest risk category for stroke, followed by smoking (52.3%), hypercholesterolemia (48.0%), overweight (48.0%), excessive alcohol consumption (32.9%) and diabetes (26.6%). The proportion of participants who graded these factors to be important for stroke occurrence was persistently higher in 2000-2001 than in 1995-1996.

CONCLUSION

Perception of modifiable risk factors for stroke increased over a 5-year time period in two representative surveys in Germany. The importance of diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for stroke is especially underestimated in the general population.