Assessment of Stroke Knowledge and Perceptions Within the Palestinian Community: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Stroke is a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide and represents an increasing public health concern in low- and middle-income countries, including Palestine. Timely detection and immediate intervention are critical for reducing stroke-related morbidity and mortality. The present study investigates the level of stroke knowledge and its determinants within the Palestinian community. METHODS: A cross-sectional, structured, questionnaire-based study of the Palestinian community was conducted from June to December 2025. Participants recruited through a convenience sample technique answered the questionnaire in both electronic and print versions. Stroke knowledge was scored from 0 to 35, with good knowledge defined as ≥ 50%. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression with stroke knowledge as a binary outcome (good vs. poor). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Among 1539 participants (60.6% female; 58.2% aged 18-29), 54.1% demonstrated good stroke knowledge, with a mean score of 18.35 ± 8.97 out of 35. Notable knowledge gaps were identified regarding risk factors (40.4% with good knowledge), early symptoms (46.7%), and outcomes (47.7%). Hypertension (70.6%) and smoking (55.9%) were the most frequently recognized risk factors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that discussing stroke risk with a healthcare provider (aOR = 3.20, 95% CI = [2.34-4.37]; p < 0.001), higher education (aOR = 2.67, 95% CI = [1.37-5.20]; p = 0.004), higher income (aOR = 2.83, 95% CI = [1.79-4.47]; p < 0.001), and having a relative with stroke (aOR = 2.15, 95% CI = [1.64-2.83]; p < 0.001) were associated with greater stroke knowledge. In contrast, being married (aOR = 0.67, 95% CI = [0.46-0.97]; p = 0.036), being employed (aOR = 0.64, 95% CI = [0.47-0.87]; p = 0.004), or being a current smoker (aOR = 0.70, 95% CI = [0.52-0.95]; p = 0.02) were associated with lower odds of good stroke knowledge. The internet and social media were the primary sources of information (51.7%). CONCLUSION: Stroke symptoms, risk factors, and treatment are poorly understood in the Palestinian community. These findings highlight the need for coordinated public health education and community-based awareness measures.