Knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning symptoms among adults with type 2 diabetes in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2021: an institution-Based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a global public health concern with type 2 diabetes being one of the common risk factors. Knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning symptoms among type 2 diabetes patients is largely unknown in developing countries like Ethiopia. The inability to recognize stroke warning symptoms accurately is an important cause of delay in seeking medical attention. We investigated knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning symptoms among adults with type 2 diabetes and the factors associated with these variables. METHODS: This was an institution-based cross-sectional study. We enrolled 470 adult type 2 diabetes patients using a systematic random sampling method from four government-managed hospitals in Addis Ababa from 1 to 30 February 2021. The Stroke Recognition Questionnaire was adapted to measure the knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning symptoms. Sociodemographic characteristics, source of information, and reaction to stroke were also measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 and linear regression analysis was used to determine factors independently associated with knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning symptoms. RESULT: The mean age of the participants was 50.6 ± 12.9 years. The mean score of knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning symptoms was 67.2% and 63.9%, respectively. Higher educational level (B = 2.007, 95% CI = 1.101, 2.914, P < 0.001), knowing someone diagnosed with stroke (B = 3.328, 95% CI = 2.734, 3.922, P < 0.001), and living with others (B = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.606, 2.954, P < 0.001) were independently associated with knowledge of stroke risk factors. Younger age (B = − 0.021, 95% CI= -0.038, 0.005, P = 0.01), higher educational level (B = 1.873, 95% CI = 1.017, 2.730, P < 0.001), and knowing someone diagnosed with stroke (B = 3.64, 95% CI = 3.079, 4.200, P < 0.001) were independently associated with knowledge of warning symptoms of stroke. CONCLUSION: The mean score of knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning symptoms was 67.2% and 63.9%, respectively. Younger age, higher educational level, and living with other people are predictors of better knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning symptoms in this study. Future educational interventions should target type 2 diabetes adults with advancing age and the involvement of their family members. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-022-03031-8.