Awareness of Community Members in Sudan Toward Stroke in 2024

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Sudan ranks 27th globally in stroke‐related deaths, with an age‐adjusted death rate of 136.47 per 100,000 people. Adequate knowledge among the population, particularly during times of conflict, can improve stroke outcomes. Objectives To assess the Sudanese population's knowledge toward stroke in 2024. Methods This cross‐sectional study was conducted from April to May 2024 among the Sudanese population who were aged more than 18 years. The study participants filled out a self‐administered online questionnaire that was composed of two sections: sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge toward stroke. The data were collected through convenience sampling. Frequencies, percentages, and associations were calculated through SPSS 28. Linear regression analysis was used to measure the association between the sociodemographic factors associated with stroke knowledge. Results We received 1124 responses; 56.9% ( n = 639) were female, and 80.8% ( n = 908) were aged 18–36 years. High blood pressure (85.2%, n = 958) and previous history of stroke (72.3%, n = 813) were the most identified risk factors, whereas difficulty speaking (76.1%, n = 855) and severe unexplained headache (76.1%, n = 855) were the most recognized symptoms. However, 39.9% ( n = 448), 46.6% ( n = 524), and 43.3% ( n = 487) did not recognize personality changes, depression, and bladder dysfunction, respectively, as possible complications of stroke. Conclusion Awareness of stroke risk factors and the appropriate emergency response was generally adequate, but the recognition of warning symptoms and complications, such as personality changes, depression, and bladder dysfunction, was incomplete. As the sample was predominantly educated, awareness is likely lower in the general population, highlighting the need for targeted health‐education efforts on symptom and complication recognition, especially among less‐educated and rural groups.