Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Towards Stroke Prevention and Associated Factors Among Hypertensive Patients Attending North Shewa Public Hospitals, 2023

Background Stroke is a global public health concern, with hypertension being a known risk factor. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to stroke prevention among hypertensive patients in central Ethiopia. Method An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 417 hypertensive patients at North Shewa Public Hospitals from June to July 2023. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. The data were collected via a structured questionnaire through face-to-face exit interviews. The data were downloaded to Excel from the Kobo toolbox and subsequently exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Variables with a P value < 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were included in the multivariate logistic regression model. The degree of association was expressed using an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) at a P value < 0.05. Results The prevalence of good knowledge, a positive attitude and good practices toward stroke prevention was 42.9%, within the 95% CI (38.4–48.0%), 40.8%, [95% CI (35.7%, 45.8%)] and 39.8%, within the 95% CI (42.9, 52.5], respectively. Factors associated with knowledge included educational level (secondary college education and above) (AOR = 5.1: 95% CI = 1.1–18.1; AOR = 6.2: 95% CI = 4.6–17.2); duration of illness (AOR = 9.5: 95% CI = 4.9–18.3]; duration of treatment (AOR = 7.4: 95% CI = 2422); and physical exercise [AOR = 3.9: 95% CI = 2.5–15.6]. Factors associated with a positive attitude included history of hearing or reading about stroke (AOR = 9.7: 95% CI = 4.4–21.4), duration of treatment (AOR = 2.0: 95% CI = 1.2–3.1) and history of hospitalization (AOR = 4.5: 95% CI = 4.5 1.4–13.8). Factors associated with good prevention practices included urban residency [AOR = 1.9 (95% CI: 1.2–3.1)], duration of illness (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1–2.5), and diabetic mellitus comorbidity (AOR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.7–5.9]. Conclusion The study revealed poor levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to stroke prevention among hypertensive patients. Efforts should be made to improve patients' understanding and behaviors regarding stroke prevention.