Knowledge of Stroke Warning Signs and Emergency Response Among Adults in Owerri, Imo State

Background: Stroke is a medical emergency where timely response is critical to outcome. Limited public knowledge of stroke warning signs contributes to delayed presentation and poor prognosis in the South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. This study evaluates knowledge of stroke warning signs and emergency response behaviours among adults in Owerri, Imo State. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study enrolled 300 adults through multistage cluster sampling. A structured questionnaire based on the FAST mnemonic and adapted for the Nigerian context assessed stroke knowledge and emergency response awareness. Results: Knowledge of individual stroke warning signs was moderate, but integration of all major signs into the FAST mnemonic was low. Calling emergency services as a first response was uncommon, with transportation to the nearest facility being the most cited action. Educational attainment positively correlated with knowledge scores. Conclusion: Gaps in stroke emergency knowledge among adults in Owerri indicate a need for community-based awareness programmes using simplified, culturally adapted messaging. Family medicine departments should anchor these campaigns and promote the use of emergency medical services for suspected stroke presentations. Keywords: stroke, warning signs, emergency response, Owerri, community awareness