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Background: FAST Heroes is a kindergarten-based educational program that teaches young children and their extended families (parents, grandparents), the main stroke symptoms (Face, Arm, and Speech), and the timely and appropriate steps in the event of a suspected stroke (Time). However, post-campaign knowledge retention remains a challenge., Aims: The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether and to what extent grandparents' stroke knowledge is maintained 44 months after the initial implementation of the program., Methods: Forty-five participants engaged in the present study (35 women, 10 men; 72.8§5.3) and completed an adapted version of the FAST Heroes Stroke Preparedness Questionnaire via phone calls., Results: Compared to immediately post-program implementation, respondents were still able to recall arm weakness (OR = 1.63; p  = 0.246) and slurred speech (OR = 2.02; p  = 0.075) as main stroke symptoms. A decrease was observed in recalling facial drooping (OR = 0.44; p  = 0.042). Reporting of the appropriate course of action, was found to be increased (OR = 4.17; p  < 0.001). Respondents remembered the emergency number to call, i.e., 112 (OR = 0.97; p  = 0.947)., Conclusion: The results showed that awareness regarding the common signs of a stroke and the importance of promptly contacting emergency services following a stroke, in the population group mostly affected by stroke, is retained. Exploring knowledge preservation in a greater sample size is warranted., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Orologa, Baskini, Tsakpounidou, Keramydas and Proios.)

Background: Educating the at-risk population about stroke symptoms and requirement of calling an ambulance when stroke strikes is challenging. This exploratory cross-country study provides insights to the FAST Heroes educational campaign and outcomes hitherto achieved., Aims: The primary aim of the study was to measure the transfer of stroke-related knowledge to parents after a global school-based FAST Heroes educational campaign for 5- to 9-year-old children in 14 different countries. The secondary aim was to evaluate parents and teachers' acceptability toward the program., Methods: The duration of the program was 5 h; 1 h per week, joining face-to-face educational sessions with workbooks, cartoons, web-based learning, and other fun activities. Outcomes were measured before implementation (t1), after implementation (t2), and at 6-month follow-up (t3). Program acceptability and stroke knowledge were evaluated by feedback surveys for teachers and parents., Results: Worldwide, 4,202 parents completed the program with their children and answered surveys at t1 and t2. They increased their knowledge of three stroke symptoms from 48 to 83% ( p < 0.001). All three surveys were completed by 86 parents, who improved their knowledge of stroke symptoms, 55% (t1), 79% (t2), and 94% (t3) ( p < 0.001). Overall, the educational messages were successfully passed onward., Conclusions: Findings confirm the primary aim of the study that is knowledge about stroke transfer well from children to their families through the FAST Heroes program. Second, parents and teachers globally consider the program feasible and worthwhile. The results will inform further rollout of the campaign., Competing Interests: KT, JM, CW, and HP are employed by Boehringer Ingelheim. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Tsakpounidou, van der Merwe, Klinke, Webb, Ouriques Martins and Proios.)

Background: Young children are often unaware of emergency health conditions, such as stroke, and could serve as important vehicles to save the lives of their grandparents, who are more likely to suffer a stroke. An important aspect for the evaluation of public awareness on stroke signs and related emergency procedures is to examine the level of baseline stroke knowledge children have and whether they understand when to seek medical care on time. Objective: To examine the level of stroke symptomatology knowledge in children as well as evaluate their preparedness in stroke response before their participation in the educational program "FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) 112 Heroes." Methods: For the purpose of this work, a questionnaire was developed and adapted to preschoolers' needs. The present study involved 123 children (65 boys, 58 girls, aged 4-6.5 years; mean age: 5.30, S.D.: 0.59) from two cities in Greece. Five multiple-choice animated pictures, that were age-appropriate, were administrated to each child, along with verbal explanations provided by the investigator. Results: More than half of the participants ( n = 65, 52.8%) could recognize the symptom of face drooping, 53 children (43.1%) could identify the symptom of arm hemiparesis/hemiplegia and 92 children (74.8%) were able to answer the question regarding speech disturbances. However, the number of correct answers to the question regarding the appropriate course of action in case of a stroke was the lowest among all the questions (10.6% of participants gave a correct answer). Furthermore gender and age did not play a significant role ( p = 0.571 and 0.635, respectively). Conclusion: Although more than half of the enrolled preschool children could recognize stroke symptoms before their participation in the educational program, their baseline stroke knowledge, prior to their training, is low. Concurrently, they do not have sufficient knowledge on how to react appropriately in the event of a stroke. Therefore, awareness programs focusing on developing stroke literacy to children are needed, to ensure children will seek urgent medical care in case of a stroke., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Tsakpounidou, Psomiadis, Pourliaka, Akritidou and Proios.)

Background: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, especially in developing countries. In China, there is an urgent need to educate people about stroke awareness and the importance of using emergency medical services (EMS) quickly after a stroke has occurred. Objective: We sought to explore the effects of the Stroke 1-2-0 Prehospital Stroke Education System based on the experience of a general practitioner team. Method: We prospectively enrolled 119 community general practitioners to be trained in the procedures advocated by the Stroke 1-2-0 Prehospital Stroke Education System. The training content included early detection of ischemic stroke, first aid for stroke, and intravenous thrombolysis; The effects of the training were later evaluated via a before-and-after comparison. The 119 enrolled physicians formed a Stroke 1-2-0 lecturer group and taught stroke knowledge to community residents. The group remained active for 6 months, during which the medical treatment data of stroke patients (i.e., stroke onset time, prehospital delay, whether an ambulance was called, and whether thrombolytic therapy was performed) in each of 5 jurisdictions were recorded for the month before (January 2021) and that after (August 2021) the 6-month community education program. Finally, the effects of the community education program were evaluated. Results: The participants' understanding of intravenous thrombolysis in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke improved significantly after the training as compared with their earlier understanding (96% vs. 78.99%; P <.001), and their understanding of the time window for intravenous thrombolysis increased from 26.05% before to 72% (P <.001) after the training. Most of the participants (90% vs. 67.23%; P <.001) said that they would immediately call the 120 emergency number of China's emergency phone system if they encountered individuals who appeared to be victims of acute stroke. A total of 82 stroke patients were seen before and 67 after the community education program. As for the use of the emergency call system, more patients with stroke activated that system after the program versus before (21.95% vs. 37.31%; P =.04). The 3-hour arrival rate after the program was nearly three times higher than that before the program (62.69% vs. 19.51%; P <.001). Also, regarding receiving thrombolysis after the occurrence of a stroke, the program triggered a substantial increase compared with the total earlier (19.4% vs. 6.1%; P =.013). Conclusion: We found that the Stroke 1-2-0 Prehospital Stroke Education System significantly improved community residents' knowledge regarding stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The global incidence of stroke is on the rise, primarily due to an increase in the aging population and the prevalence of vascular risk factors among the elderly. However, stroke is a treatable condition if promptly recognized and managed effectively. To optimize stroke management, it is crucial to establish a well-prepared infrastructure comprising adequately trained physicians working in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Equipped stroke units, easily accessible emergency medical services with a stroke code, and interconnected telestroke networks, further enhance stroke care delivery. Along with the current study, conducted by a task force from the World Stroke Organization's Future Stroke Leaders Program, an assessment of the stroke infrastructure within Matrouh governorate in Egypt for stepwise implementation of stroke services, based on the World Stroke Organization's stroke roadmap took place. The study consisted of two levels: Level One involved analyzing existing gaps that may impede the implementation of stroke services, while Level Two proposed strategies to address these gaps using a problem-solving approach. Results The study identified the Matrouh governorate as a suitable region for stroke service implementation. The region exhibits a blend of urban and rural areas and is geographically distant from major healthcare centers. Matrouh also possesses a diverse population, subject to seasonal variations. Currently, it offers a mix of minimum and essential stroke services, which can be expanded and improved through a step-by-step approach guided by the World Stroke Organization's stroke roadmap. Conclusions Mapping stroke infrastructures allows for the identification of potential gaps to optimize the potential for implementation of stroke services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early childhood plays a key role in the formation of healthy habits and the establishment of health literacy. Nonetheless, there are only a few research studies focusing on the health literacy level of children under the age of eight. The aim of our systematic review is to explore empirical research on health literacy related to early childhood. The research was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA protocol. This systematic review examines 12 studies published between 2013–2022. Results show that research focuses on different domains of health literacy for children. In relation to children's food literacy, children understand the relationship between health and nutrition and they realize the health impact of obesity. The habits connected to oral health are strongly associated with parents' knowledge of and behaviours around oral health. Results related to health care situations show that children are able to be actively involved in decision-making processes in connection with their health. Exploring young children's health literacy is essential in order to be able to plan health promotion interventions, embedded into early childhood education. Picture-based messages or story-based messages supported by illustrations can help measure health literacy in early childhood and can support the formation of health literacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]