Knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning symptoms among adults with type 2 diabetes in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2021: an institution-Based cross-sectional study

Cardiovascular Risk Awareness, Exercise Practices and Metabolic Outcomes among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in Northern Nigeria: A Cross-sectional, Multicentre Study

BACKGROUND

Physical exercise helps to mitigate cardiovascular risks in people with diabetes mellitus (DM), but there are limited data in Nigeria. This study aimed to assess cardiovascular risk awareness, exercise practices and metabolic outcomes among Nigerians with diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study at five tertiary hospitals using questionnaire interviews and clinical assessments. Participants' knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors and knowledge of exercise were assessed on 12- and 5-item scores, while exercise practices were classed as adequate if performed regularly on 3 or more days weekly for a total of 150 min or more based on the American Diabetes Association recommendations. Mean body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), fasting blood glucose, serum haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), lipid profile, urea, creatinine and uric acid were then compared among participant groups.

RESULTS

We studied 426 participants with DM, 58.7% females. The mean age was 52.9 ± 13.1 years, with males significantly older than females (54.6 ± 12.2 vs. 51.8 ± 13.5 years; 95% confidence interval: 0.27-5.28, P = 0.03). The mean age at diabetes diagnosis was 44.8 ± 11.7 years, and the median duration of diabetes was 84 months. There was low knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors and low knowledge of exercise (mean scores of 2.94 and 2.31, respectively). Forty-three per cent of participants reported adequate exercise, which was significantly associated with younger age (P = 0.007), male gender (P = 0.001) and formal education (P = 0.021). Participants with adequate exercise had lower systolic BP and serum urea compared to those with inadequate exercise, but there were no significant differences in BMI, fasting glucose, HbA1c, serum lipids, creatinine or uric acid.

CONCLUSION

Participants had low knowledge of cardiovascular risks and the appropriate exercise practices for diabetes patients. There is a need for better patient education on diabetes self-care and exercise at clinic visits.

Navigating the Knowledge of Risk Factors, Warning Signs, of Stroke - A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study Among Saudi Adults in Riyadh Saudi Arabia

Background

The incidence of stroke is increasing in everyday life as a result of modifiable cerebrovascular risk factors and aging. Therefore, the goal of this study was to assess knowledge of the risk factors, and warning signs, of stroke and to determine associated demographic factors among individuals living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods and Materials

A cross-sectional online study using a convenience sampling of general population living in Riyadh was carried out over three months in 2023 using a series of questionnaires that was adopted from the previous study. Before data collection, the study tool was subjected to pilot testing among a small sample of individuals to validate for consistency and reliability. The data was collected using social media platforms. A statistical package for the social science (SPSS version 27) was used.

Results

Four hundred and sixty-two individuals completed the survey. Among those 69.5%, identified hypertension as a risk factor for stroke followed by hyperlipidemia (42.9%), heart disease (44.8%). In addition, most of the respondents (n = 332, 71.9%) knew that numbness or weakness of the face and/or limbs of the body was a warning sign of stroke. In this, 73.5% (n=249) of the respondents agreed that if they saw an individual suffering from a stroke, they would like to take the patient to the hospital immediately. However, there was a significant association between the knowledge of the respondents about the risk factor of stroke and educational degree (p=0.011), and parents working in healthcare settings (p =0.015).

Conclusion

In conclusion it was observed that a significant respondents had an adequate knowledge of stroke risk factors, while most were unaware of the early warning signs of a stroke. To promote primary prevention and early management/outcomes, we advise that future regional campaigns focus on raising knowledge and recognition of stroke symptoms.

Risk factors for stroke recurrence in young patients with first-ever ischemic stroke: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

At present, the incidence rate of ischemic stroke in young people is increasing yearly, and the age of onset is increasingly young. Therefore, primary and secondary prevention of ischemic stroke in young people, especially secondary prevention, is particularly crucial.

AIM

We aimed to comprehensively evaluate risk factors for stroke recurrence in first-ever young ischemic stroke (YIS) patients.

METHODS

The meta-analysis was used to quantitatively analyze the research results on risk factors for stroke recurrence in first-ever YIS patients both domestically and internationally. Stata12.0 software was used for heterogeneity testing, publication bias analysis, sensitivity analysis, and the calculation of combined odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

The odds ratio (OR) values of the relationship between hypertension and hyperlipidemia and recurrence of first-ever YIS were 1.54 (1.05-2.26) and 1.12 (1.00-1.25), respectively. The OR values of male sex, type 2 diabetes, smoking, drinking and YIS recurrence were 1.66 (0.98-2.79), 1.01 (0.64-1.59), 1.21 (0.83-1.76), and 1.28 (0.82-2.53), respectively. The relationship between male sex, type 2 diabetes, smoking, drinking and YIS recurrence was ambiguous.

CONCLUSION

Hypertension and hyperlipidemia are important risk factors for stroke recurrence in first-ever YIS patients, and active intervention should be taken.

Awareness of Stroke Risk Factors and Warning Signs Among Diabetic Patients in the Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective This study aimed to determine the awareness of stroke risk factors and warning signs among diabetic patients in the Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia. Methods We adopted a cross-sectional study involving 314 participants in the Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia between February 27, 2023, and April 20, 2023. The target population was diabetic patients whose database was obtained from various health institutions. The questionnaire was then distributed to the respondents after obtaining informed consent. The data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics version 27.0.1.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) to obtain important insights. Results The majority of the respondents (69.11%) demonstrated a good level of knowledge, while 30.89% had poor knowledge. A good proportion of the respondents (68.47%) knew about stroke, while 73.89% knew it primarily affects the brain. Most respondents claimed that elderly people were at higher risk of attack (52.55%) and that the younger population was also prone to stroke (64.97%). The respondents identified hypertension (74.52%), smoking (72.61%), diabetes (71.66%), and high blood cholesterol (68.47%) as the main risk factors for stroke. The participants also demonstrated a very good understanding of the warning signs, with difficulty speaking (80.57%) and the weakness or inability to move one-half of the body (85.35%) being the most common signs. Conclusion The findings in this study indicated a good level of understanding and awareness of stroke, its risk factors, and warning signs (69.11%). The older respondents and people with a higher level of education demonstrated more knowledge. The two variables, age and education, had a statistically significant relationship with the knowledge of stroke. The common risk factors associated with stroke were identified as hypertension, smoking, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol. The respondents demonstrated good knowledge of the warning signs, with the vast majority asserting that difficulty in speaking, decreased sensation, and weakness or inability to move one-half of the body are common warning signs.