Stroke in SSA: Review of current literature concerning the incidence, risk factors and mortality of stroke in this demographic
Prevention of stroke has been a key target for health care interventions in developed countries for decades, with recent WHO statistics demonstrating a 42% decrease in stroke incidence since 1970 [1]. This trend is not observed uniformly worldwide, with the same review demonstrating a 100% increase...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Health and Social Sciences Research Institute - South Sudan (HSSRI-SS)
2013-11-01
|
| Series: | South Sudan Medical Journal |
| Online Access: | http://www.southsudanmedicaljournal.com/archive/november-2013/stroke-in-ssa-review-of-current-literature-concerning-the-incidence-risk-factors-and-mortality-of-stroke-in-this-demographic.html |
| Summary: | Prevention of stroke has been a key target for health care interventions in developed countries for decades, with recent WHO statistics demonstrating a 42% decrease in stroke incidence since 1970 [1]. This trend is not observed uniformly worldwide, with the same review demonstrating a 100% increase in stroke incidence in developing countries over a similar time period. Economic changes in these countries are anticipated to amplify this problem, with key risk factors for stroke also increasing in prevalence [2, 3]. Furthermore, more effective treatment of childhood diseases will likely increase the proportion of elderly people in these countries, further increasing the burden of chronic disease. A large hospital based study in Tanzania estimated the incidence of stroke to be between 108-316 per 100,000 [4] with significant differences between rural and urban populations. However considerable variation in this estimate has been observed in several smaller studies [5, 6]. Information concerning the community incidence of stroke is scarce with only one large study demonstrating a significantly lower incidence of stroke than hospital based studies [7]. Reliable information on stroke in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is therefore poor and it is difficult to accurately estimate stroke incidence in its population. Nevertheless, the aforementioned studies demonstrate a steady, yet substantial increase in the burden of stroke, hence necessitating further research and implementation of appropriate prevention strategies. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2309-4605 2309-4613 |