Purpose

The purpose of the study study was to determine the process and outcome of rehabilitation of stroke patients in three African Countries.

Relevance

The results of the study could ensure that physiotherapy interventions are appropriately addressing the outcomes of stroke patients in Africa.

Participants/Subjects

Information relating to the process of care was collected from a conveniently selected sample of patients admitted to hospitals in the different countries. The outcome of rehabilitation was determined using a purposively selected sample.

Methods

A retrospective record review was used to collect quantitative data, while interviews were used to collect qualitative data.

Analysis

Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the qualitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data analysis.

Results

The sample consisted of 168 South African (SA) participants; 145 Tanzanian participants (TZ) and 139 stroke Rwandese (RW) participants for the retrospective survey. The length of hospital stay ranged from 7.38 days in the SA setting to 8.2 days in the RW setting. Physiotherapy was received by 67.15% in the TZ sample; 39.6% in the RW sample and 98% of the participants in the SA sample. A significant relationship existed between LOS and number of physiotherapy sessions in all the countries. (p<0.05). Limitations in the inability to walk, and a lack of participation in social activities were experienced by all participants. Environmental barriers were also experienced by all.

Conclusions

A younger stroke population is admitted to hospitals in less developed countries in Africa. Although physiotherapy is more frequently provided in some African countries the stroke patients experience similar functional challenges.

Implications

Rehabilitation for stroke patients should address environmental barriers experienced by stroke patients

Keywords

Outcomes of African stroke patients.

Funding Source Acknowledgement

University of the Western Cape Research Grants