From the Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit, Lilongwe and Karonga (H.M., C.C., V.N., S.G., A.C.C., M.N., A.J.P.).
Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom (S.G., J.R.G., A.C.C., M.N., L.S., A.J.P.).
Stroke. 2019 Jul;50(7):1846-1849. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.119.025105. Epub 2019 Jun 5.
Background and Purpose- The incidence of stroke in Malawi is unknown but major risk factors, including hypertension, obesity, and diabetes mellitus, are highly prevalent. We sought to understand community-level knowledge about stroke. Methods- A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in rural Malawi (2016-2017). Adults aged ≥15 years were randomly selected and interviewed about their knowledge and perceptions of stroke symptoms, risk factors, and prevention. Logistic regression was used to investigate sociodemographic factors associated with stroke knowledge. Results- Of 812 selected, 739 (91% response rate) were seen and consented; 57% were female, and the median age was 52.0 years. Knowledge of stroke was poor: 71% knew no (correct) risk factors. Witchcraft (20.6%) was mentioned as frequently as hypertension (19.8%) as a cause. Knowledge of stroke was greatest in the most educated and wealthy and lowest in men, the never married, and the youngest age group. HIV-positive individuals had higher knowledge of prevention (odds ratio, 2.91; 95% CI, 1.21-7.03) than HIV negative individuals. Conclusions- Knowledge about stroke is very low in this community, particularly among the least educated and poor. Programs to support prevention, early recognition, and timely hospital presentation after a stroke are needed.
背景与目的-马拉维的中风发病率尚不清楚，但高血压、肥胖症和糖尿病等主要危险因素的患病率却很高。我们试图了解社区对中风的认知程度。方法- 2016 年至 2017 年在马拉维农村地区开展了一项基于人群的横断面研究。随机选择 15 岁及以上的成年人进行访谈，了解他们对中风症状、危险因素和预防措施的认知和看法。采用逻辑回归分析方法，探讨与中风知识相关的社会人口学因素。结果- 在被选中的 812 人中，有 739 人（91%的响应率）接受了调查并同意参与；其中 57%为女性，中位年龄为 52.0 岁。对中风的认知程度较差：71%的人不知道（正确的）危险因素。巫术（20.6%）和高血压（19.8%）被同样频繁地提及为中风的病因。受教育程度和财富水平最高的人群对中风的认知程度最高，而男性、未婚人群和最年轻的年龄组对中风的认知程度最低。HIV 阳性个体对预防措施的认知程度更高（比值比，2.91；95%置信区间，1.21-7.03），而 HIV 阴性个体则较低。结论- 该社区对中风的认知程度非常低，尤其是受教育程度最低和贫困人群。需要制定支持预防、早期识别和中风后及时住院治疗的计划。
