"Determinants of Stroke among Adults with Hypertension in Nekemte Public Hospitals, Oromia, Ethiopia: A Case-Control Study"

Abstract

Background: Stroke remains a significant contributor to both mortality and disability on a global scale, with a particularly pronounced impact in low-and middle-income countries. The objective of this study was to examine the risk factors linked to stroke among adult hypertensive patients who are being treated at public hospitals located in western Ethiopia. Methods:A case-control study was conducted from September 2021 to April 2022 to investigate the relationship between hypertension and various socio-demographic and clinical factors. Data was collected through patient records and interviews. A total of 50 cases and 150 controls were randomly selected from the group of hypertensive patients. The collected data was carefully verified, coded, and entered Epi data version 3.1. Subsequently, the dataset was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were conducted, with statistical thresholds of <0.25 and 0.05, respectively, at a 95% confidence interval to assess the significance of the variables. Results:The study included a total of 200 participants, comprising 50 cases and 150 controls. The mean age of cases and controls was 63.7 (SD±15.25) and 52.6 (SD ±12.58) years, respectively. Several significant determinants of stroke were male gender (AOR=3.