KNOWLEDGE OF STROKE AMONG HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS IN MOROCCO

Background: Cerebrovascular accidents are increasingly becoming a growing source of disability and death. However, it is possible to prevent them by raising awareness of their risk factors and ensuring early management of patients. Aim: The study aims to determine the prevalence of stroke and study the knowledge of hypertensive patients regarding risk factors and warning signs at the health facilities in the province of Essaouira, Morocco. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional quantitative analytical study of hypertensive patients in the province of Essaouira, Morocco. Results:455 participants took part in the study. 66.4% of patients were women, 50.5% were aged 60 or over, and 62.2% lived in urban areas. Most were married (64%) and had no formal education (58.2%). 7% of patients had a history of stroke diagnosed by a healthcare professional. 68% of participants identified numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg as the main warning sign. 59.3% of participants had a low level of knowledge about stroke. Age, level of education, place of residence, social security coverage, history of stroke in the respondent, as well as in immediate family, relatives and neighbors, were significantly (p<0.05) related to the level of stroke knowledge. Conclusion: The low level of knowledge about stroke among hypertensive patients highlights the need for increased awareness, both among these patients and in the community. It is therefore crucial to implement local education programs to encourage preventive behaviors and provide information on how to deal with the warning signs of stroke.