Stroke Prevention: Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of CHWs and Healthcare Professionals in the North-West Province, South Africa.
1
School of Nursing, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
2
Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Stroke is a major global public health concern and is often preventable through early identification and management of cardiovascular risk factors. In South Africa, community health workers play a key role in primary health care and prevention at household and community level. However, their contribution to cardiovascular care, particularly stroke prevention, remains under-researched. Understanding community health workers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding stroke prevention is essential to strengthening their preventive role.
METHODS:
A qualitative, exploratory, contextual and descriptive research design was employed. Purposive sampling was used to select community health workers, healthcare professionals, and community health centres. Data were collected through eight World Café sessions with community health workers (n = 90) and eight focus group discussions with healthcare professionals (n = 49). Data were analysed using Creswell’s six steps of thematic analysis.
RESULTS:
Analysis of the World Café sessions and focus group discussions revealed three overarching themes: knowledge, attitudes, and practices. These themes largely corresponded across both participant groups. Findings from healthcare professionals were more specific and clinically oriented, reflecting their professional training and experience. Knowledge-related findings revealed gaps and misconceptions regarding stroke risk factors and prevention among community health workers. Attitudinal findings indicated the presence of both positive and negative attitude influencers, which either facilitated or hindered effective stroke prevention practices. Practice-related findings highlighted the need for improved risk identification, patient education, referral practices, and the elimination of myths and misconceptions related to stroke.
CONCLUSIONS:
Community health workers have the potential to play a significant role in stroke prevention if adequately equipped with appropriate knowledge, attitudes, and practices. The presence of stroke-related myths and misconceptions among community health workers is a critical finding that requires targeted training and ongoing support. Strengthening community health worker capacity may enhance community-based stroke prevention and contribute to improved cardiovascular health outcomes.
Stroke is a major global public health concern and is often preventable through early identification and management of cardiovascular risk factors. In South Africa, community health workers play a key role in primary health care and prevention at household and community level. However, their contribution to cardiovascular care, particularly stroke prevention, remains under-researched. Understanding community health workers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding stroke prevention is essential to strengthening their preventive role.
METHODS:
A qualitative, exploratory, contextual and descriptive research design was employed. Purposive sampling was used to select community health workers, healthcare professionals, and community health centres. Data were collected through eight World Café sessions with community health workers (n = 90) and eight focus group discussions with healthcare professionals (n = 49). Data were analysed using Creswell’s six steps of thematic analysis.
RESULTS:
Analysis of the World Café sessions and focus group discussions revealed three overarching themes: knowledge, attitudes, and practices. These themes largely corresponded across both participant groups. Findings from healthcare professionals were more specific and clinically oriented, reflecting their professional training and experience. Knowledge-related findings revealed gaps and misconceptions regarding stroke risk factors and prevention among community health workers. Attitudinal findings indicated the presence of both positive and negative attitude influencers, which either facilitated or hindered effective stroke prevention practices. Practice-related findings highlighted the need for improved risk identification, patient education, referral practices, and the elimination of myths and misconceptions related to stroke.
CONCLUSIONS:
Community health workers have the potential to play a significant role in stroke prevention if adequately equipped with appropriate knowledge, attitudes, and practices. The presence of stroke-related myths and misconceptions among community health workers is a critical finding that requires targeted training and ongoing support. Strengthening community health worker capacity may enhance community-based stroke prevention and contribute to improved cardiovascular health outcomes.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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