Knowledge of stroke among an urban population in Cotonou (Benin).

Background: Studies on the knowledge of stroke, its related risk factors and warning symptoms in the populations of Sub-Saharan Africa are scarce. No study has been performed in Benin until now.

Methods: A door-to-door survey was performed in two districts of Cotonou with a broad socioeconomic range. 15,155 individuals aged ≥15 years were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire adapted from previous reports.

Results: 15,155 individuals consented to participate in the survey. 14.1% correctly identified the brain as the affected organ in stroke. The most commonly identified risk factor was hypertension (34.5%). The most often cited warning signs of stroke were paralysis and hemiplegia (34.4%). Relatives were the major source of information about stroke (25.1%). In multivariate analysis, age, education level, occupation, self-reported risk factors of stroke, overweight and obesity were associated with at least one correct response to the questionnaire about stroke risk factors or symptoms.

Conclusion: The awareness of stroke, and its risk factors and symptoms is low in Cotonou. The results suggest that specific education programs may improve people's knowledge of stroke and their awareness of related risk factors in Sub-Saharan African countries.