Prevalence and Pattern of Stroke Cases Seen at the Neurology Clinic of Physiotherapy Department, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt: A Ten-Year Retrospective Study .

Abstract

Background: Stroke is a condition of public health concern. It affects people of different age brackets, leading to long-term debilitation with a significant percentage of survivors left with permanent disabilities Methods: The study adopted a descriptive retrospective study design in which the data of a total of 338 adult male and female stroke patients who attended the neurology clinic of Physiotherapy Department, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), between December 2012 and December 2022 were retrieved and studied following ethical clearance. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25. Descriptive statistics was used to present the data in frequency tables. Results: Majority of the stroke patients were male 208 (61.5%), married 300 (88.8%), and between the ages of 51 and 60 (28.7%). The most common type of stroke was ischaemic stroke 295 (87.2%) with majority between the age bracket of 61-70 (26.6%). First episode of stroke was the most prevalent 301 (89.0%) with majority of the survivors between the age bracket of 51-60 (25.7%). Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor 195 (57.7%) and was also most prevalent among the age bracket of 51-60 (16.0%). Lastly, majority of the stroke patients had right sided hemiparesis 192 (56.9%). Conclusion: The risk factors and clinical presentation of stroke vary from individuals to individuals. Adequate education, counseling, medical, and financial support should be given to stroke survivors in order to prevent and manage the condition.