Australian public's awareness of stroke warning signs improves after national multimedia campaigns

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE - The aim of this study was to examine the reach and impact of the National Stroke Foundation (NSF) multimedia stroke warning sign campaigns across Australia. METHODS - A total of 12 439 surveys were performed across 6 states during 6 years on random state-weighted samples of Australians ≥40 years old. RESULTS - Awareness of stroke advertising increased 31% to 50% between 2004 and 2010 (P<0.001), as did the unprompted recall of ≥2 most common stroke warning signs 20% to 53% (P<0.001). Awareness of stroke advertising was independently associated with recalling ≥2 common signs (adjusted odds ratio=1.88, 95% confidence interval [1.74-2.04]; P<0.001). Awareness was not gre..