Assessment of Stroke Knowledge Among a Sample of Iraqi Adults Individuals Attending AL- Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Baghdad City

Background and Purpose: Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Iraq exceeding only by coronary heart disease and war related death. This study aims to assess the stroke knowledge among a sample of Iraqi adult individuals attending Al-Sheikh Zayed hospital in Baghdad city. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design for period from 1 st October 2020 to 1 st April 2021. A purposive sample of (200) adult individuals Attending AL-Sheikh Zayed hospital in Baghdad City are conveniently selected and included in the study. The data is collected with interview method by using Stroke Knowledge Test Scale. Results: The results of the study shows that the majority of the study participants are adults between age of 25-35-year-old (31%), male (52%), married (60%), smokers (49%), and having sedentary lifestyle (69%). Family history of stroke, hypertension and diabetes mellitus are the common clinical history that is diagnosed among over (50%) of participants. The results also reveal the stroke knowledge is low to moderate over (96%) of participants. Pearson correlation coefficient proved that there is a significant positive association between stroke knowledge and level of education, family history of stroke, high cholesterol level, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Conversely, there is a significant negative correlation between stroke knowledge and each of age and smoking. Conclusion: This study is clinically significant, since it's highlighted the level of stroke related knowledge among a sample of Iraqi adult's people. As well as, the study revealed strong association between stroke knowledge and number of demographical, behavioral and clinical characteristics.