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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
A cross-sectional study of quality of life in incident stroke survivors in rural northern Tanzania
Journal of Neurology, Volume 258, No. 8, Year 2011
Notification
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Description
The aim of this study was to evaluate changes to, and predictors of, quality of life (QOL) in a community-based cohort of stroke survivors from an earlier stroke incidence study in rural northern Tanzania. Patients were assessed 1-5 years after their incident stroke. The study cohort was compared with an age- and sex-matched control group from the same rural district within a cross-sectional design. Patients and controls were asked a series of questions relating to their QOL [World Health Organization quality of life, abbreviated version (WHOQOL-BREF)], levels of anxiety and depression [hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) scale], cognitive function [community screening instrument for dementia (CSI-D) screening tool], socioeconomic status and demographic characteristics (e.g. age, sex, education and abode). Patients were further assessed for functional outcome and disability (Barthel index, modified Rankin scale), post-stroke care and psychosocial functioning. Patients (n = 58) were found to have significantly lower QOL than controls (n = 58) in all six domains of the WHOQOL-BREF. Gender, socioeconomic status, cognitive function and time elapsed since stroke were not associated with QOL. Older patients and those with more impaired motor function and disability (Barthel index, modified Rankin score) had significantly poorer physical health-related QOL. Greater anxiety and depression, reduced muscle power and less involvement in social events were significantly correlated with lower physical and psychological health-related QOL. To our knowledge, this is the first long-term study of QOL in survivors of incident stroke in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Poorer QOL was associated with greater levels of physical disability, anxiety and depression and reduced social interaction. Demographic factors appear to be much less significant. Modifying these QOL predictors could be important in planning effective post-stroke care within a stretched healthcare system. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.
Authors & Co-Authors
Howitt, Suzanne C.
United Kingdom, South Shields
South Tyneside District Hospital
Jones, Matthew P.
United Kingdom, Tyne and Wear
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead
Jusabani, Ahmed Mussa
Tanzania, Moshi
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre
Gray, William Keith
United Kingdom, North Shields
North Tyneside General Hospital
Aris, Eric A.
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Muhimbili Hospital
Mugusi, Ferdinand M.
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Muhimbili Hospital
Swai, Mark E.
Tanzania, Moshi
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre
Walker, Richard William
United Kingdom, North Shields
North Tyneside General Hospital
Statistics
Citations: 55
Authors: 8
Affiliations: 5
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1007/s00415-011-5948-6
ISSN:
03405354
e-ISSN:
14321459
Research Areas
Disability
Health System And Policy
Mental Health
Noncommunicable Diseases
Study Design
Randomised Control Trial
Cross Sectional Study
Cohort Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Tanzania