KAZADI KABANDA I, KIANGEBENI NGONZO C, EMEKA BOWAMOU CK, DIVENGI NZAMBI JP, KIATOKO PONTE N, TUYINAMA MADODA O, NKODILA NATUHOYILA A, M’BUYAMBA-KABANGU JR, LONGO-MBENZA B, BANZULU BOMBA D, KIANU PHANZU B. Stroke signs knowledge and factors associated with a delayed hospital arrival of patients with acute stroke in Kinshasa.
Heliyon 2024;
10:e28311. [PMID:
38571603 PMCID:
PMC10988012 DOI:
10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28311]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background
Rapid recognition and early medical intervention are essential to reduce stroke-related mortality and long-term disability. This study aimed to evaluate awareness of stroke symptoms/signs and determine factors delaying the hospital arrival of patients with acute stroke in Kinshasa.
Methods
Patients with stroke and/or accompanying family members were interviewed using a standard questionnaire, and their medical records were reviewed. Factors independently associated with a late arrival (≥4.5 h) to the hospital were identified using the logistic regression test in forward multivariate analysis.
Results
Overall, 202 patients with an average age of 57.9 ± 13.1 years were included. Only 27 (13.4%) patients immediately associated the initial symptoms with a stroke episode. Delayed hospital arrival was observed in 180 (89.1%) patients. Unmarried status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-4.88; p = 0.007), low education level (aOR, 2.29; 95% CI, (1.12-5.10; p = 0,014), absence of impaired consciousness (aOR, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.52-4.43; p = 0.005), absence of a history of hypertention (aOR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.18-3.78; p = 0.041), absence of a history of diabetes (aOR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.15-4.58; p = 0.013), heavy alcohol consumption (aOR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.12-2.83; p = 0.045), absence of a severe to very severe stroke (aOR, 4.93; 95% CI, 0.82-1.01; p = 0.002), and presence of ischemic stroke (aOR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.54-4.59; p = 0.001) were identified as independent determinants of delayed hospital arrival.
Conclusions
This study depicted a low stroke awareness rate and a much longer prehospital delay than evidence-based guidelines recommend and identified eight factors that public health actions could target to promote the earliest management of stroke.
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