Abstract
Stroke is an increasing problem in sub-Saharan Africa, even in children. High rates of hypertension, diabetes, alcohol abuse, smoking, insufficient fruit and vegetable consumption, sickle cell disease, HIV infection, antiretroviral use and race are likely contributing factors. Although often considered as related to increasing wealth, stroke is more strongly related to poverty, and in turn increases it. Case-fatality rates are high and premature death and years of life lost are a major problem. We propose an approach to stroke prevention and treatment that takes into account the real situation on the ground and can be applied in sub-Saharan Africa, an area where stroke units are largely not feasible and many patients do not reach hospitals. Involvement of community and faith-based organisations, use of simple diagnostic tests, emphasis on clinical examination to differentiate between haemorrhagic and ischaemic stroke, prompt initiation of aspirin therapy and training of community nurses on essential management of stroke should be urgently implemented.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 707-710 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Tropical Medicine and International Health |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Prevention
- Stroke
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Treatment
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Cite this
Stroke : A realistic approach to a growing problem in sub-Saharan Africa is urgently needed. / Kolapo, Kehinde O.; Vento, Sandro.
In: Tropical Medicine and International Health, Vol. 16, No. 6, 06.2011, p. 707-710.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Stroke
T2 - A realistic approach to a growing problem in sub-Saharan Africa is urgently needed
AU - Kolapo, Kehinde O.
AU - Vento, Sandro
PY - 2011/6
Y1 - 2011/6
N2 - Stroke is an increasing problem in sub-Saharan Africa, even in children. High rates of hypertension, diabetes, alcohol abuse, smoking, insufficient fruit and vegetable consumption, sickle cell disease, HIV infection, antiretroviral use and race are likely contributing factors. Although often considered as related to increasing wealth, stroke is more strongly related to poverty, and in turn increases it. Case-fatality rates are high and premature death and years of life lost are a major problem. We propose an approach to stroke prevention and treatment that takes into account the real situation on the ground and can be applied in sub-Saharan Africa, an area where stroke units are largely not feasible and many patients do not reach hospitals. Involvement of community and faith-based organisations, use of simple diagnostic tests, emphasis on clinical examination to differentiate between haemorrhagic and ischaemic stroke, prompt initiation of aspirin therapy and training of community nurses on essential management of stroke should be urgently implemented.
AB - Stroke is an increasing problem in sub-Saharan Africa, even in children. High rates of hypertension, diabetes, alcohol abuse, smoking, insufficient fruit and vegetable consumption, sickle cell disease, HIV infection, antiretroviral use and race are likely contributing factors. Although often considered as related to increasing wealth, stroke is more strongly related to poverty, and in turn increases it. Case-fatality rates are high and premature death and years of life lost are a major problem. We propose an approach to stroke prevention and treatment that takes into account the real situation on the ground and can be applied in sub-Saharan Africa, an area where stroke units are largely not feasible and many patients do not reach hospitals. Involvement of community and faith-based organisations, use of simple diagnostic tests, emphasis on clinical examination to differentiate between haemorrhagic and ischaemic stroke, prompt initiation of aspirin therapy and training of community nurses on essential management of stroke should be urgently implemented.
KW - Prevention
KW - Stroke
KW - Sub-Saharan Africa
KW - Treatment
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79955749637&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79955749637&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2011.02759.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2011.02759.x
M3 - Article
VL - 16
SP - 707
EP - 710
JO - Tropical Medicine and International Health
JF - Tropical Medicine and International Health
SN - 1360-2276
IS - 6
ER -