Factors associated with stroke mortality in India

Abstract

Objectives: Stroke is one of the major causes of death and disability in India, as evident from the Global Burden of Disease Study, causing 7.3% deaths. An effort was made to correlate stroke mortality with tobacco use, alcohol use, use of clean fuel, and economic condition. Study Design: This was an ecological study. Methods: Data were taken from nationally representative reports – National Family Health Survey 4, Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2: India 2016–2017, and India: Health of the Nation's States. Spearman correlation coefficient, scatter plot, and multivariate linear regression were used for state-wise analysis. Results: Clean fuel and smokeless tobacco (SLT) were significantly associated with mortality due to stroke (r = –0.423 and 0.445, respectively). Delhi, Goa, and Tamil Nadu, states with the highest proportion of population using clean fuel, recorded less deaths due to stroke, in comparison to rest of the country. On multivariate regression, use of SLT and secondhand smoking at work were found as independent predictors for stroke mortality. Conclusion: For preventing deaths from stroke, wide use of clean fuel should be encouraged and work place should be kept free from smoking.