ePrints

Trends in stroke admissions to a Tanzanian hospital over four decades: a retrospective audit

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Richard Walker

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.

Abstract

AimsThe aim of this study was to record stroke admissions to a tertiary referral hospital in Tanzania over four decades.MethodsWe audited the medical records held at a large teaching and tertiary referral hospital in northern Tanzania over four decades. We collected records for the years 1974-1976, 1984-1986, 1994-1995 and 2008. All patients admitted as inpatients with a primary diagnosis of stroke were included in the study. Data collected included age, sex, stroke subtype, predominant side of symptoms and survival to discharge.ResultsThe number of stroke admissions rose from just four in the three-year period 1974-1976 (mean 1.3 cases annually) to 153 cases annually in 2008. The mean age of those admitted rose steadily during this period, as did the proportion of females admitted.ConclusionsThe burden of stroke on health services in Tanzania appears to have increased rapidly. If this increase is to be slowed, then sustainable primary preventative measures to target known stroke risk factors will be required.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Walker RW, Viney R, Green L, Mawanswila M, Maro VP, Gjertsen C, Godfrey H, Smailes R, Gray WK

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Tropical Medicine & International Health

Year: 2015

Volume: 20

Issue: 10

Pages: 1290-1296

Print publication date: 01/10/2015

Online publication date: 01/06/2015

Acceptance date: 15/05/2015

ISSN (print): 1360-2276

ISSN (electronic): 1365-3156

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/tmi.12547

DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12547

Altmetrics

Share