Public Awareness of Stroke Risk Factors, Warning Symptoms, Prevention Measures, and Stroke Management Among Adults in Two Major Cities in Yemen: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Hatem N, Mohamed Ibrahim M, Al-Jarba'a A • Vascular health and risk management • 2026
A cross-sectional survey of adults in two major Yemeni cities found a high level of overall recognition-based stroke awareness (87.9%), though gaps remain in less recognized symptoms and disparities linked to socio-economic factors persist.
Key Findings
Results
Overall recognition-based stroke awareness was high among surveyed adults in two major Yemeni cities.
87.9% of participants demonstrated overall recognition-based awareness (95% CI: 84.7–91.1%)
The study used a cross-sectional survey design with a paper-based questionnaire
Participants were recruited through convenience sampling in two major urban cities in Yemen
Data analysis included descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, correlation analysis, and bivariate logistic regression
Results
Obesity/overweight and high blood pressure were the most recognized stroke risk factors among participants.
Obesity or overweight was recognized as a risk factor by 89.4% of participants
High blood pressure was recognized as a risk factor by 86.2% of participants
These were identified as specific areas of high recognition within the risk factors domain
Results
Dizziness and loss of balance was the most commonly recognized stroke warning symptom.
Dizziness/loss of balance was recognized as a stroke symptom by 79.1% of participants
This was the highest recognized symptom in the warning symptoms domain
The findings highlight that less recognized symptoms represent a gap requiring targeted public health intervention
Results
Taking prescribed medications and regular medical checkups were the most recognized stroke prevention measures.
Taking prescribed medications was recognized as a prevention measure by 87.2% of participants
Regular medical checkups were recognized as a prevention measure by 86.9% of participants
These were identified as areas of high recognition within the prevention domain
Results
Awareness of immediate medical care and future prevention medications were the most recognized aspects of stroke management.
Awareness of immediate medical care was recognized by 87.7% of participants
Awareness of future prevention medications was recognized by 85.9% of participants
These were identified as standout areas within the stroke management domain
Results
Personal or family history of chronic disease and personal history of stroke were significantly associated with greater overall stroke awareness scores.
Personal or family history of chronic diseases was strongly associated with greater overall stroke awareness score (p < 0.001)
History of stroke itself was also significantly associated with greater overall stroke awareness (p = 0.03)
These associations were identified via bivariate logistic regression analysis
Results
Education level was significantly associated with higher awareness scores in the symptoms, prevention, and stroke management domains.
Bivariate regression analysis highlighted significant associations between high awareness and education level for symptoms, prevention, and stroke management domain scores (p < 0.001)
This finding underscores disparities linked to socio-economic factors in stroke awareness
The authors note these disparities warrant targeted public health interventions
Background
The study was conducted in a low-income, conflict-affected country context where healthcare system fragility amplifies the stroke burden.
Yemen is described as a low-income, conflict-affected country with fragile healthcare systems
Limited access to preventive and acute care services compounds the stroke burden
The authors note the study addresses 'a critical awareness gap' in this context
Findings are limited to urban settings in two major cities and may not be nationally representative
What This Means
This research surveyed adults in two major Yemeni cities to understand how well people recognize stroke risk factors, warning signs, prevention strategies, and what to do when a stroke occurs. Overall, awareness was relatively high—nearly 9 in 10 participants correctly identified major risk factors like high blood pressure and obesity, recognized the importance of regular medical checkups and prescribed medications for prevention, and knew that seeking immediate medical care is critical when a stroke happens. However, the study also found gaps, particularly around less commonly recognized stroke symptoms, suggesting that public knowledge is uneven.
The research found that people with a personal or family history of chronic disease or stroke tended to have better overall stroke awareness, likely because their experiences brought them into closer contact with health information. Education level was also strongly linked to better knowledge about stroke symptoms, prevention, and management—meaning people with less education were less likely to have adequate awareness in these areas. This highlights that socio-economic inequalities can translate directly into health knowledge gaps.
This research suggests that while Yemeni urban populations have a foundation of stroke awareness, targeted public health campaigns are needed—especially ones designed to reach people with lower education levels and to address the specific symptoms and management steps that are less well known. The authors call for culturally appropriate educational campaigns and note that broader, nationally representative studies are needed to fully understand stroke awareness across Yemen, including in rural and conflict-affected areas.
Hatem N, Mohamed Ibrahim M, Al-Jarba'a A. (2026). Public Awareness of Stroke Risk Factors, Warning Symptoms, Prevention Measures, and Stroke Management Among Adults in Two Major Cities in Yemen: A Cross-Sectional Study.. Vascular health and risk management. https://doi.org/10.2147/VHRM.S623354