Temporal Trends in Public Stroke Knowledge, 1995–2021

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Outreach campaigns have sought to reduce the burden of stroke by improving knowledge of stroke risk factors (RF) and warning signs (WS). We describe trends in stroke knowledge from 1995 to 2021. METHODS: From 1995 to 2021, 6 separate surveys were conducted in the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Region. Temporal trends in RF/WS knowledge were analyzed using logistic regression adjusting for Race, sex, age, and education. RESULTS: In 1995, 28.6% of participants (537/1880) could name ≥2 WS, compared with 50.6% (983/1944) in 2021 (trend P <0.0001 after adjustment). In 1995, 44.5% of participants (836/1880) knew ≥2 RF, compared with 56.7% (1103/1944) in 2021 (trend P <0.0001 after adjustment). Although still improved compared with 1995, fewer participants could identify ≥2 RF in 2021 (1103/1944, 56.7%) when compared with 2011 (1287/2036, 63.2%, pairwise P <0.05). This decline in RF knowledge was disproportionately larger in women (odds ratio of 0.67 for knowledge in 2021 compared with 2011 in females, P =0.047 for the interaction between sex and study year). CONCLUSIONS: Although stroke knowledge has overall improved since 1995, there is evidence for lost gains since 2011, particularly in women. Stroke outreach campaigns need ongoing evaluation.