Public and outpatients’ awareness of calling emergency medical services immediately by acute stroke in an upper middle-income country: a cross-sectional questionnaire study in greater Gaborone, Botswana

Highlights • This is the first study comparing awareness of calling EMS among outpatients and public in sub-Saharan Africa • Awareness of calling EMS or seeking immediate medical services by acute stroke was adequate among both outpatients and public • Predictors of low awareness of both calling EMS and seeking immediate medical assistance were no medical insurance, residing/working together, history of psychiatric diseases, and normal weight • Results call for educational campaigns on awareness of calling EMS/ seeking immediate medical assistance by stroke.