Abstract:

Stroke is a neurological syndrome which is a severe clinical issue for global public health and is a third leading cause of death and disability in developing countries, it is associated with post stroke seizures which may be acute or unprovoked results in post stroke epilepsy which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality across the globe. The objective of this study was to find prevalence of post stroke seizures/epilepsy and associated factors among stroke survivors attended at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) Northwestern Tanzania.

Methodology: A retrospective based cohort study on Weill Bugando stroke registry data was conducted on post stroke patients admitted at BMC from March 2020 and were enrolled in Weill Bugando stroke registry in which all stroke patients or reachable relatives meeting the inclusion criteria during this study was contacted.

Results: 400 patients was found on stroke registry, among them 31were unreachable and only one patient denied to participate, among the reachable approximately half of them, 51.4% were females and according to the modified ranking score the majority 51.9%, of the patients had already died within 2 years from the onset of stroke, and among survivors there were varying degrees of disability ranging from 10.6% with no symptoms to 2.2% with severe disability requiring nursing care.

Conclusion: Based on modified ranking score majority of people (191/368, 51.9%) died and among those who survives (117/358) small proportion (7.9%) experience post stroke seizure/epilepsy.