Understanding risks for stroke and the importance of a healthy lifestyle among stroke patients at a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Stroke accounts for 11% of deaths worldwide. Stroke prevalence has been rising in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), where the death rate per 100,000 is 95.93 versus 22.27 in the US. Aim: This study was conducted to assess knowledge about stroke risk factors and willingness to make the behavioral changes among KSA individuals who had experienced a stroke. Methods: A 61-item survey was orally administered to 101 stroke patients from King Abdulaziz Hospital in Taif, Saudi Arabia in July 2020. Topics covered included: knowledge of stroke risk factors; health behaviors regarding diet, physical activity, smoking, and medical adherence; and importance/barriers to changing unhealthy behaviors and willingness to make changes. Statistical Methods: Comparisons of risk factor knowledge as related to the other variables were made using the Chi-square statistics. Results: Approximately half of the participants correctly identified stroke risk factors, one-third reported poor medication adherence, 20%–30% reported engaging in unhealthy dietary behaviors, and only one-third reported any physical activity (walking). About two-thirds did not think that maintaining a healthy weight or engaging in physical activity were important and one-third did not see the importance of taking medicine on time. Knowledge of stroke risk factors was significantly related to the importance of dietary behaviors and readiness to improve medication adherence. Conclusion: This study found an apparent lack of knowledge of stroke risk factors and the importance of a healthy lifestyle and medication adherence, highlighting a need for broad health education of the public in the KSA.