A Descriptive Study to Assess Awareness Regarding Causes of Stroke Among Adults in Selected Area of Pulwama District

Rakiya Afzal

Rakiya Afzal

Keywords: Stroke, Awareness, Risk Factors, Adults, Pulwama District, Health Education.

Abstract

Stroke is a significant public health issue and one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability globally. In India, the prevalence of stroke is rising steadily, yet public awareness about its causes and risk factors remains limited. Poor knowledge often results in delayed identification and treatment, leading to adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness regarding the causes of stroke among adults in the Pulwama district of Jammu & Kashmir and to explore the association between awareness levels and selected de-mographic variables. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 adults aged 40–60 years, selected using non-probability convenience sampling. Data were collected using self-structured form comprising (25) items related to demographic details and stroke-related knowl-edge. The tool’s validity was confirmed by experts, and reliability was established with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.80 and a retest value of 0.89. Data were analyzed using statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation) and chi-square tests to identify associations. Findings showed 46.6 percent had moderate, 33.3 percent adequate, and 20 percent inadequate awareness of stroke causes. Most were female (60 percent), aged 46–50 (36.6 percent), with 50 percent having no formal education. A significant association was found between awareness levels and demographic variables such as age and education. The study indicates a moderate level of stroke awareness among adults in Pulwama, with knowledge gaps more pronounced among the less educated. There is an urgent need for targeted health education and community-based awareness initiatives to improve stroke prevention and early recognition.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2455.7048.202511

How to cite this article:
Rashid R, Afzal R, Gul N, Wali B, Iqbal M A, Bashir P, Subreena, Sheikh S H, Farooq F, Nasir M, Akhter B, Nazir S, Manzoor I, Rasheed M, Sharief S. Epidem Int. 2025;10(1):33-41.

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