Population-based stroke risk profile from a West-African community

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Cardiovascular Health

Background:

• Stroke remains a significant global health concern, with varying risk profiles across different populations.
• Understanding community-specific stroke risk factors is essential for targeted public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the stroke risk profile of adults in the Nnewi community, Nigeria.
• To identify prevalent stroke risk factors within this population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted on community-dwelling adults without a prior history of stroke.
• The Modified Framingham Stroke Risk Score (MFSRS) was utilized to assess stroke risk.
• Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics.

Main Results:

• The mean MFSRS indicated a minimal stroke risk in the Nnewi community, with 16% experiencing moderate-to-high risk.
• Prevalent risk factors included dyslipidemia (100%), high meat/sugar consumption, hypertension, physical inactivity, and psychological stress.
• MFSRS correlated positively with BMI, waist circumference, and waist-hip ratio, and varied significantly by gender, education, and occupation.

Conclusions:

• While MFSRS suggested minimal stroke risk, underlying factors indicate a potentially higher actual risk in the Nnewi population.
• Stroke risk was significantly influenced by BMI, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, gender, education, and occupation.
• There is a need for increased community awareness and education regarding stroke risk and prevention.