Changing the strategy and culture of stroke awareness education in China: implementing Stroke 1-2-0

This project implemented the Stroke1-2-0 stroke awareness programme across China and investigated its impact over a 2-year period.We initiated the Stroke1-2-0 educational campaign and Stroke1-2-0 special task forces(STF)across the nation.Massive media coverage,community-based educational sessions with videos and other related materials and induction of Stroke1-2-0 STF were the major means of promotion.We delivered a survey at the end of 2016 and 2018 to evaluate the impact of our effort.A total of 3066 participants responded to the first survey in 2016,and 15207 participants responded in 2018 across China.The acceptance rate for Stroke1-2-0 versus FAST(an English-language stroke awareness tool)was 50.2%versus 19.1%in 2016,and changed significantly to 82.2%versus 8.0%in 2018(p<0.001).Stroke1-2-0 was well accepted by all ages and by people with different academic qualifications.Only 6.5%of survey respondents were aware that there was a therapeutic window for thrombolytic therapy in 2016,but this awareness increased significantly to 32.8%in 2018.Only 12.6%of people in 2016 indicated that they would send patients with stroke to the nearest hospital capable of performing thrombolytic therapy,but there was a nearly threefold increase(52.5%)in this number by 2018.More than 1000 major hospitals joined the Stroke1-2-0 STF,and more than 20000‘stroke warriors’have joined our stroke awareness improvement effort so far.Stroke1-2-0 stroke awareness programme is well-implemented and accepted,and is generating profound improvement in stroke awareness in China.