Assessment of public knowledge and perception of stroke, seizures, and subarachnoid hemorrhage among adults aged ≥18 years in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.

Neurological emergencies, including stroke, seizures, and subarachnoid hemorrhage, require prompt recognition and intervention for optimal outcomes. Public awareness of these conditions is essential, yet knowledge gaps persist in Saudi Arabia despite their increasing prevalence. This study aims to assess knowledge and perceptions of neurological emergencies among the Saudi general population and identify sociodemographic factors influencing awareness levels. A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and July 2025 using an online questionnaire distributed to Saudi residents aged ≥18 years. The survey assessed knowledge of symptoms, appropriate responses, and sources of information regarding neurological emergencies. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 29, with nonparametric tests to evaluate differences between demographic groups. Among 593 participants, 60.7% correctly identified initial actions for stroke, while 80.6% recognized that even one stroke symptom warrants immediate action. Most participants knew not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation if breathing (91.2%) or sprinkle water (85.3%), but fewer identified proper actions like turning the person on their side (44.9%) or calling emergency services for seizures over 5 minutes (50.8%). Gaps exist in recognizing emergency situations such as injuries or prolonged unconsciousness. Female participants, residents of Central and Western regions, and those with healthcare backgrounds demonstrated significantly higher knowledge scores (P < .05). Social media (62.6%) was the primary information source, followed by healthcare professionals (55.3%). This study revealed notable gaps in public knowledge about neurological emergencies in Saudi Arabia, particularly regarding recognition of stroke symptoms and appropriate seizure management. However, over 80% of participants were aged 18 to 30, which limits generalizability to the broader Saudi population. Findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions, especially for demographics showing lower awareness levels, to improve early recognition and management to these time-sensitive conditions.