Healthcare Professionals' Knowledge and Practices Toward Stroke Prevention in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of mortality and a major contributor to global disability, with stroke accounting for a significant proportion of this burden. Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for approximately 10% of all deaths, claiming 5.5 million lives annually, and resulting in 44 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost. Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, exhibits some of the highest age-standardized incidence rates, with stroke contributing significantly to medical admissions, high 30-day case fatality rates (28–37%), and functional disability rates exceeding 60%. The long-term disabilities associated with stroke impose substantial emotional, social, and economic challenges on patients, caregivers, and health systems. Addressing these challenges aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by one-third by 2030, strengthen prevention and treatment strategies, and promote universal health coverage. Understanding healthcare professionals’ perceptions and practices regarding stroke prevention is crucial to improving patient outcomes, reducing the burden of disease, and enhancing public health strategies in resource-limited settings