Impact of a theory-informed and user-centered stroke information campaign on the public's behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge when facing acute stroke: a controlled before-and-after study.

Background: Public awareness of stroke symptoms is a key factor to ensure access to reperfusion strategies in due time. We designed and launched a regional theory-informed and user-centered information campaign and assessed its impact on emergency medical services (EMS) calls for stroke suspicion, time-to-call, and public attitudes and awareness concerning stroke.

Methods: A controlled before-and-after study was conducted during 3 sequential time-periods in 2 separate counties.