Stroke-related stigma among West Africans: Patterns and predictors

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Public Health
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Stroke significantly impacts low and middle-income countries (LMICs), with higher disability-adjusted life-years lost compared to high-income nations.
• Despite the known association between chronic disorders and stigma, research on stroke-related stigma in LMICs is notably scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence, severity, contributing factors, and psychosocial effects of stigma among stroke survivors in LMICs.
• To investigate the lived experiences of stigma at personal, family, and community levels.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 200 stroke survivors at a tertiary medical center in Ghana.
• The 8-Item Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness (SSCI-8) was used to assess personal, family, and community stigma.
• Data on demographics, stroke characteristics, depression, and quality of life were collected and analyzed using Generalized Linear Models (GLM).

Main Results:

• Personal stigma had the highest mean score (13.7±5.7), significantly exceeding family (11.9±4.6) and social/community stigma (11.4±4.4).
• Approximately 80% of participants reported experiencing mild-to-moderate stigma.
• Higher stigma scores correlated with increased depression symptoms, urban living, and more severe post-stroke residual deficits.

Conclusions:

• A high prevalence (80%) of stigma was observed among stroke survivors in this Ghanaian cohort.
• Stigma was significantly associated with higher rates of depression and reduced quality of life.
• Further research is crucial to understand and address the multifaceted consequences of stroke stigma in LMIC settings.