A Descriptive Epidemiological Study on Stroke in Kampala, Uganda: A Hospital based Study
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Date
2012
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Neurological Sciences
Abstract
Basic stroke features are hardly known in sub-Saharan countries, and no data are available in Uganda.
Objective
To characterize patients presenting with clinical stroke to Mulago Hospital.
Design
Descriptive epidemiological study.
Setting
Mulago National referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda.
Participants
Patients presenting with clinical stroke from 1st July to 30th November 2006.
Patients with confirmed stroke had comprehensive assessments for stroke risk factors.
Results
Among 139 patients presenting with clinical stroke, 127 had a non-contrast head CT scan and 12 died prior
to scan. Eighty five patients were confirmed to have stroke while 42 had non stroke lesions. Among patients
with confirmed stroke, 77.6% had ischemic stroke while 22.4% had hemorrhagic stroke. The mean age for
all stroke patients was 62.2 ± 16.2 yrs and 51.8% were men. The incidence of both ischemic and
hemorrhagic stroke increased with age. Atherosclerotic stroke was the most common ischemic stroke
etiology, observed in 43.5% patients with ischemic stroke, while intraparenchymal hemorrhage was the
most common hemorrhagic stroke etiology, observed in 78.9% of patients with hemorrhagic stroke.
Hypertension was the commonest risk factor with more than 50% of all stroke patients reporting a history of
hypertension, and more than half found to have blood pressure greater than 140/90 mm Hg. Physical
inactivity and hypercholesterolemia were encountered in more than 36% and 30% of patients with ischemic
and haemorrhagic strokes respectively. Conclusions
Hypertension was the main risk factor for both Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes in this study. This study
provides important primary data on stroke in an African population and emphasizes the relevance of CT
scan in stroke diagnosis.
Description
Keywords
Africa, Epidemiology, Stroke
Citation
Nakibuuka, J., Abwooli, N., Namale, A., & Blondin, N. A. (2012). A descriptive epidemiological study on stroke in Kampala, Uganda: a hospitalbased study. African Journal of Neurological Sciences, 31(1), 41-48.