Objective We conducted a survey on the awareness rate of stroke in Yangquan residents and analyzed factors affecting awareness to provide basic information for Yangquan residents to prevent and treat stroke in Shanxi.MethodsA questionnaire regarding awareness and basic knowledge of stroke was used in this study and applied to Yangquan residents.A cluster stratified sample of 7983 residents were questionnaired by cross-sectional method.Results7921 returned copies were valid.The awareness rate of stroke in 7921 selected Yangquan residents was 30.14％ (2387/7921). Upon the occurrence of stroke,the awareness rates of the way to see a doctor,the right department to look for medical care and test manners to diagnose the illness as stroke were relatively high in these investigated people,which were 74.03％ (5864/7921),78.17％ (6192/7921) and 84.04％ (6657/7921),respectively.However,the number of people who knew characteristic symptoms and complications of stoke,risk factors that cause stroke and how to treat stroke was 2021 (25.51％),841 ( 10.62％ ),and 902 ( 11.39％ ),respectively,which was relatively low. After multivariate analysis,the awareness rate of stroke in Yangquan residents was positively correlated with an education degree.ConclusionsYangquan residents know little about stroke.Therefore,it is necessary to increase the level of their knowledge regarding stroke by extended propaganda and encourage them to live a healthy life to be able to treat stoke in time and to reduce the possibility of stroke occurring.