Abstract
Background: Stroke is the fourth most common cause of death in developed countries and a leading cause of acquired disability in adults. Awareness of risk factors and warning signs for stroke has a considerable impact on early arrival at the hospital and early thrombolytic treatment. Delays in seeking medical treatment following the onset of stroke symptoms have been shown to be more common among ethnic minorities.
Objective: The aim of the current study was to examine stroke awareness and knowledge among new immigrants from the Former Soviet Union (IFSUs) compared with veteran residents (VRs).
Methods: The study was conducted by students of the nursing master of arts program. Data were collected during March 2010 and June 2014. Trained registered nurses conducted interviews, using a structured, pretested, open-ended questionnaire. Participants were recruited by a snowball method from among the interviewers' friends and family members, 40 years or older with no history of stroke.
Results: A total of 643 Israelis, 420 VRs (65.3%) and 223 IFSUs (34.7%), were interviewed; 40.7% were men, with a mean age of 52.6 (SD, 9.3) years. Compared with VRs, IFSUs were more likely to report previous myocardial infarction (P = .022), hypertension (P < .001), and diabetes (P = .012). The mean number of stroke warning signs reported by IFSUs was higher than that reported by VRs (P = .031). When asked about risk factors for stroke, IFSUs more often stated hypertension (P = .03), whereas VRs more often reported family history (P = .03). Immigrants from the Former Soviet Union were more aware of strategies for the prevention of stroke than VRs (P = .02). The preferred sources of information about stroke for IFSUs, as distinguished from VRs, were personal doctors (P = .001) and radio programs (P = .03).
Conclusions: Veteran residents showed lower levels of knowledge about stroke. Educational campaigns aimed at increasing knowledge of stroke among Israel's general population in Israel, as well as culturally targeting specific subgroups, are recommended.