Improving stroke awareness through a culturally adapted audiovisual intervention in the United Arab Emirates

Objectives: This study evaluates the effectiveness of a brief, culturally tailored educational video in improving stroke-related knowledge among residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: A pre-post intervention study was conducted with 407 UAE residents aged 25 years and older. Participants viewed a 3-min educational video addressing stroke symptoms, risk factors, and preventive strategies. Stroke knowledge was measured using a structured questionnaire immediately before and after the video. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests, repeated measures ANOVA, and linear regression models. Results: Stroke knowledge significantly increased following the intervention (mean score: 20.80 pre-test to 23.53 post-test; p < 0.001), with notable improvements in identifying symptoms and risk factors. Regression analyses indicated that female gender, higher education, and healthy lifestyle practices positively influenced knowledge gains, whereas older age was associated with smaller improvements. Conclusion: A brief, culturally relevant audiovisual intervention effectively enhances stroke-related knowledge. Such scalable educational tools should be integrated into global public health strategies to promote earlier stroke recognition and intervention.