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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Rufus Akinyemi, Professor Richard Walker
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Copyright: © 2026 Uvere et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. INTRODUCTION: Globally, stroke is a leading cause of mortality with higher incidence in low- and middle-income countries. However, stroke beliefs and knowledge among community partners are essential considerations for tailoring of interventions in West Africa. PURPOSE: To describe differences in beliefs, attitudes, and practices related to stroke risks, prevention, and care delivery from alternative/complementary providers/healers, orthodox/modern medicine/health care providers, community members and leaders in Nigeria. METHODS: Six focus groups with community members and leaders (n = 57) and key informant interviews with health providers (n = 24) from alternative/complementary and orthodox/modern medicine providers were conducted to qualitatively explore beliefs, attitudes, practices, and recommendations related to stroke in urban (Ibadan) and rural (Ibarapa) communities in Nigeria. The Socio-Ecological Model guided selection of participants, and the Health Belief Model guided the development of questions for participants. RESULTS: Participants perceived stroke as disabling, though manageable, and having higher odds of repeat stroke for survivors. High blood pressure, stress, sleep issues, heredity, and lifestyle factors were some stroke risk factors perceived by participants from both sites although God, witchcraft/evil people were reported by rural participants. Hospital visits and consumption of herbal concoction, self-medication and visit to church for prayers were some actions taken to manage stroke by both urban and rural participants. Low literacy levels, limited funds, fear of and distance to hospitals, and absence of insurance were some barriers to uptake of recommendations from orthodox medicine practitioners which are drivers to unorthodox practitioners. To improve stroke care and prevention across communities, free risk factor screening, indigenous stroke awareness programs via print, audio-visual and electronic media were suggested by all participants. CONCLUSION: Diverse beliefs and practices are related to stroke risk factors, prevention and care and barriers with obtaining care. There is need to work across systems to improve stroke prevention and care in communities.
Author(s): Uvere EO, Jenkins C, Melikam ES, Arulogun OS, Ajala OT, Ayodele AE, Adebajo OJ, Adeleye O, Ogunronbi O, Nwimo C, Nichols M, Popoola OA, Akinyemi JO, Tagge R, Akinyemi RO, Akpa OM, Salami A, Taiwo OJ, Adebayo A, Olowoyo P, Ilori T, Olaniyan O, Walker RW, Ovbiagele B, Owolabi MO
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: PLoS One
Year: 2026
Volume: 21
Issue: 2
Online publication date: 02/02/2026
Acceptance date: 01/01/2026
Date deposited: 16/02/2026
ISSN (electronic): 1932-6203
Publisher: Public Library of Science
URL: https://doi/org/10.1371/journal.pone.0322157
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0322157
Data Access Statement: Per the conditions of the informed consent document, the study team destroyed audio recordings after verifying the accuracy of the transcripts. Also, the informed consent signed by participants stated that the study team would employ all means possible to maintain the confidentiality of their personal information and that data collected would be used solely for the purposes of this study, with access limited to authorized study personnel only.
PubMed id: 41628157
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