Sabatha Schravesande-de la Macorra, Medicina de Rehabilitación Física, Ciudad de México, México
Paul D. Uribe-Jaime, Departamento de Neurología. Centro Médico ABC. Ciudad de México, México
Background: Recognition of stroke warning signs is a crucial factor in treatment. Public education programs about stroke improve early recognition of the disease and thus prompt treatment. Objective: To know the cultural perception of the disease in Mexican patients who suffered an ischemic cerebrovascular stroke. Method: A prospective study of 120 patients who suffered an ischemic cerebrovascular stroke, in the period between June 2018 and June 2020. A survey was applied to the patient. Patients with cognitive or language disorders that did not allow an adequate understanding of the questions or that prevented a sufficient expression of the answers were excluded. Results: 18% of the patients were able to recognize that their initial symptoms could be indicative of a cerebrovascular stroke, 52% of the patients went immediately to the emergency department, 70% of the doctors were able to make the correct diagnosis, and 31% of the patients attributed the stroke to medical problems. The patients thought that for their recovery it helps to be a believer (68%), rehabilitation (62%), and alternative therapies 46%. Conclusions: There is a lack of knowledge about cerebrovascular stroke in Mexico, so it is essential to implement population education strategies in the future.
Keywords: Stroke. Recognition. Education.