The Prevalence of Stroke Survivors in Urban Slums in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Stroke is one of the commonest non-communicable diseases and the commonest cause of death in adult neurology wards. Stroke preva-lence in sub Saharan Africa has dramatically increased over the past decades possibly due to changing life styles, poverty, poor health infrastructures which had led to increased risk factors for stroke. Poor nutrition and lack of access to standard medical care, predispose to high rates of stroke morbidity and mor-tality hence possible low prevalence. Little is known about the prevalence of stroke in people with low socio-economic status in Nigeria. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of stroke in two urban slums in south east Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional descriptive study carried out in two slums in Enugu, South East Nige-ria. Participants were screened using a stroke specific questionnaire and further examined by two independent neurologists for evidence of focal neurological deficits. Analysis was done by SPSS version 22. Results: A total of 1440 par-ticipants were surveyed in the study; 769 (53.4) females and 671 (46.6%) males. About 22.3% (321) screened positive for various neurological diseases out of which 17 (5.3%) had evidence for stroke giving an overall prevalence of 1.2% (males 9 (1.3%) vs females 8 (1%) p = 0.6). The mean age of stroke sur-vivors was 60.1 years, similar in males and females (p = 0.6). The odds ratio for stroke from 40 years showed progress increment doubling between 60 and 70 years and tripled between 40 and 70 years. Age, lower level of education, positive history of hypertension, sickle cell disease, leg swelling and use of snuff positively are correlated with clinical diagnosis of stroke. Conclusion: The prevalence of stroke in two urban slums in Enugu metropolis was 12/1000. Hypertension, diabetes, use of snuff, and low levels of education were signifi-cant risk factors for stroke. Public health educational measures, promoting prevention and early detection of diabetes should be encouraged.