Background: A post stroke seizure is a period of neurological dysfunction caused by abnormal neuronal activity. Seizures after a stroke have an impact on patients' lives and increase mortality in stroke patients. It also has a negative impact on the prognosis of stroke. However, there is a scarcity of literature in Ethiopia on the occurrence of post-stroke seizures. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the incidence and predictors of post-stroke seizure at Felege Hiwot compressive specialized hospital, North West Ethiopia.
Methods: An institution-based retrospective follow-up study was carried out at Felege Hiwot Compressive Specialized Hospital, North West Ethiopia from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2021. The records of 568 stroke patients were reviewed using a random sample method. To find predictors of post-stroke seizures, we applied the log-binomial regression model.
Result: The incidence of post-stroke seizures was 22.18%( 95% CI 18.83%-25.83%). Older age group (ARR = 2.49, 95% CI 1.33-4.69), hemorrhagic stroke (ARR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.25-3.17), surgical intervention (ARR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.22-2.81), and tramadol medication (ARR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.22-2.81) were found to be predictors of post stroke seizure.
Conclusion: This study revealed that the incidence of post stroke seizure was high and older age, haemorrhagic type of stroke, surgical management, and use of tramadol anti-pain medication are risk factors for post-stroke seizures. Therefore, health care professionals must pay special attention and provide clinical care to patients who have risk factors for post-stroke seizure.
Keywords: Bahir Dar; Ethiopia; Incidence; Predictors; Seizure; Stroke.
© 2023. The Author(s).