Abstract:
Introduction: Globally, stroke is the second leading cause of mortality and disability.
Currently, stroke is one of the most common reasons for admission in many healthcare
facilities and is becoming an alarming serious public health problem in Ethiopia. However,
there is limited evidence on the incidence and predictors of mortality among stroke patients
in Ethiopia. The purpose of this study is to estimate the incidence and predictors of mortality
among adult stroke patients.
Objective: To assess the incidence and predictors of mortality among stroke patients
admitted to Comprehensive Specialized hospitals in Southern Ethiopia, 2023.
Methods: An institutional based-retrospective follow-up study was conducted among 551
stroke patients admitted to Wolaita Sodo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital and
Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from January 1, 2018 – December
31, 2022. Simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants.
Extracted data was exported from kobo collect to STATA and analyzed by STATA version
14.1 software. Bivariate and Multivariable cox proportional hazard regression analysis was
done. The assumption of Cox proportional hazard was checked by using schoenfled residuals
test and graphical methods. Goodness of model Fitness was checked by using Cox Snell
residual. Adjusted hazard ratio with 95% confidence interval and p-values less than 0.05 was
used to identify statistically significant predictors.
Result: The incidence rate of death was 2.3 per 100 person days. Aspiration
pneumonia(AHR=4.28;95%CI=2.32,7.91) ,GCS<8(AHR=3.43;95%CI=1.46,8.07), GCS
score of 9-12(AHR=2.99: 95%CI=1.43,6.25), NIHSS on admission (AHR=1.76; 95%
CI=1.03,3.02), and Increased ICP (AHR=3.17; 95% CI=1.23,4.85) were significant
predictors of mortality among admitted adult stroke patientsConclusion and Recommendation: The mortality rate of stroke is higher than previous
studies conducted in Ethiopia. Early identification and management of stroke and stroke
related complication should be done
