Increase In Stroke Prevalence Due To Spatial Inequalities

It has been observed that spatial inequalities in the access to Stroke healthcare is a concern that needs to be addressed in order to manage the disease adequately in Osun state.

This assertion formed the basis of a test conducted by the trio of Ayila Emmanuel Adzandeh, John Awope and Osaretin Isoken Oviasu of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state.

The report indicated that an increase in the annual incident rate of stroke in the state between 2005 and 2018 was pegged at 3 per 100,000 and 9 per 100,000 persons respectively.

Accordingly, Osun East has the highest prevalence with just two public hospitals to cater for their treatments while Osun Central has 8 public hospitals.

Osun West has the lowest prevalence with no specialised hospital to treat stroke patients.

Amongst the local governments in the state, Ife Central is the area council with the highest prevalence of stroke occurring amongst its population while Ifedayo and Oshogbo were second and third respectively.

One of the trio, Ayila Emmanuel noted that gender wise, it was observed that more males were susceptible to getting stroke than women.

He added that investigations concluded that males within the age range of 59-69 were in this category which was 56.4% compared to 43.6% for women.

They also discovered that more traders were susceptible to stroke than any other profession and this represented 18% while drivers represented 7% of the population.

More people were also observed to be getting stroke due to the lack of adequate medical facilities in rural areas.

Being a developing country, some of the predisposing risk factors to stroke according to the trio are hypertension and diabetes mellitus.