Evolution of the magnitude of stroke at the teaching hospital of Bobo-Dioulasso

Abstract

Background Strokes are more and more frequent in the world, particularly in Africa. The evolution of their magnitude remains still poorly documented in the context of Burkina Faso, particularly in Bobo-Dioulasso. That is why this study was conducted to clarify the epidemiology of stroke and its risk factors in order to raise the alarm. Objective Investigate the evolution of the magnitude of stroke and its risk factors at the Teaching Hospital of Bobo-Dioulasso between 2009 and 2013. Methods It was a descriptive transversal type, retrospective collection, covering the period from January 1st 2009 to December 31st 2013. It focused on the medical records of adults admitted to hospital for stroke with (confirmed cases) or without brain scanner confirmation (not confirmed cases). Results The number of the included cases was 967. The average age was 61.06 years more or less 14.35 years, with a sex ratio of 1.58. They were on average 05.55% of admissions annually within the services involved in their care. Their number and their proportion among admissions have increased in overall during the period. Confirmed cases represented 34.23% of all the cases, with 38.37% of hemorrhagic strokes. When they had been well documented, the risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes were found respectively in 75.80%, 22.46% and 07.46% of all cases. The frequency of arterial hypertension and diabetes had an overall growing trend also. Conclusion Strokes are more and more frequent in Bobo-Dioulasso, just like its main risk factors high blood pressure and diabetes. It is urgent to prevent the latter in order to reduce the extent of the stroke.