Stroke is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, and is an economic burden. Diabetes is an important modifiable risk factor for stroke. Patients with diabetes have a higher incidence of stroke and a poorer prognosis after stroke. An experimental approach was adopted in the present study. A self- administered knowledge questionnaire was prepared and used to assess the level of knowledge of patients with diabetes mellitus regarding risk factors and primary prevention of stroke. Data were collected from 60 patients using non probability convenience sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis, the level of significance set at 1% and 5%.The post test mean knowledge score of patients with diabetes mellitus in experimental group who received STP in significantly higher than their pre-test knowledge score as evidenced from paired‘t’ test value of 10.13, degree of freedom t (29) at 0.05 level of significance. The mean gain in post knowledge scores of patients in experimental group is significantly higher than the control group as evidenced from independent’t’ value of 15, df (58) at 0.05.There is significant association of pre-test knowledge scores with demographic variables such as education (χ2 – value = 9.16df = 1) p< 0.05 level in the experimental group.There is significant association of pre-test knowledge scores with demographic variables such as education (χ2 – value = 9.16df = 1) p< 0.05 level in the experimental group.The study has indicated that it is the responsibility of the health personnel to provide teaching programme to the patients who are at risk for developing stroke to reduce its occurrence. 

Keywords: Structured teaching programme; Diabetes mellitus; Primary prevention; Stroke.