Study reveals gaps in stroke awareness, medication adherence among high-risk patients in Qatar

Doha, Qatar: An important study published in the latest edition of the Qatar Medical Journal has revealed that high risk patients in Qatar have only m...

Doha, Qatar: An important study published in the latest edition of the Qatar Medical Journal has revealed that high-risk patients in Qatar have only moderate awareness of stroke symptoms, prevention strategies, and the importance of medication adherence — gaps that could cost lives.

Titled “The patients awareness and medication adherence among high-risk stroke patients admitted in a tertiary level hospital in Qatar: A cross-sectional study”, this research is among the first in the country to comprehensively assess stroke knowledge, recognition, prevention, and treatment compliance in vulnerable patient groups. The findings point to urgent needs for targeted public health interventions, with experts saying that improved education and adherence could significantly reduce the nation’s stroke burden and save countless lives.

 The study assessed stroke awareness among high-risk patients, examining factors such as age, education, gender, BMI, family history of stroke, and insurance status. While overall stroke awareness was moderate, most participants demonstrated low knowledge of the condition’s underlying causes and warning signs. This mirrors findings from similar studies in Asia, but contrasts with higher awareness levels reported in parts of the Middle East and Africa.

Only about half of the participants correctly identified that a stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is blocked, while less than one-third could recognise a transient ischemic attack (TIA) and its symptoms — a critical gap, as TIAs are common precursors to stroke. In terms of immediate response, over two-thirds said they would call an ambulance, showing better readiness for action than some international comparisons.

Participants scored moderately on knowledge of stroke warning signs, with slurred speech, facial numbness, one-sided weakness, and confusion being the most recognised. However, many incorrectly identified unrelated symptoms such as double vision or severe headache. Researchers stress that better public understanding of these signs could dramatically improve treatment timelines and survival rates.