PURPOSE:

The aim of this operational survey was to determine the prevalence of hypertension and strokes among clients attended to at LMGH-physiotherapy from January to December 2012. The secondary objective was to determine the awareness of hypertensive status among the stroke survivors and families before the stroke.

PARTICIPANTS

During the period under review physiotherapy department saw ninety nine (99) new stroke patients 57(57.8%) were female, 42(42.4%) were male. Left side paralysis were 45(45.4%) (25 female and 20male), 54 (54.6%)were right sided paralysis (32 female and 22 male),

The oldest client was female aged 83 and the youngest was also female aged 20, among the males the oldest client was 78years while the youngest was 27years.

Methods

Stroke Patients’ assessment forms were reviewed for information relevant to the survey and entered into a check list

Analysis

Simple mathematical calculations were done to come up with the proportions presented in the results

Results

Of the 56000 clients that came to LMGH outpatients department during the period under review, 42873 were first attendance while 12934 were re-attendances. 11629 were admitted 10629 were discharged and 860 died. According the hospital records, of 56000, 1687 were heart disease patients, 388 (22% of the cardiac patients) were hypertensive and one hundred (100) suffered strokes (26.8% of the registered hypertensive clients).

During the period under review physiotherapy department saw ninety nine (99) new stroke patients 57(57.8%) were female, 42(42.4%) were male. Left side paralysis were 45(45.4%) (25 female and 20male), 54 (54.6%)were right sided paralysis (32 female and 22male),

Both oldest and youngest clients were female, 83 and 20years respectively, the oldest male client was 78years and youngest was 27years.  The subjective assessment of the 99 survivors noted that 50 (50.5%) were not aware of their hypertension status, 39(39.4%) claimed that they were not sick but had never checked their blood pressure while 10(10.1%) were aware but had very poor adherence to treatment.

RELAVANCE OF THE INFORMATION

This small operational survey is very relevant to health care providers so that measures could be put in place to prevent and manage hypertension. The findings of the survey led to the conception of the idea of screening of all clients and care givers in physiotherapy for hypertension and lifestyle counseling.

Conclusions

From the analysis of the available data the results indicate that 89(89.8%) of 99 were not aware of their hypertensive status hence the need for health care facilities to ACT and mitigate.

Implications

In a way the physiotherapy department has continued to contribute towards identification of hypertensive clients and sensitizing all, using the World Health and Allied Professionals lifestyle card. 547 hypertensive identified from January to September 2013; 107 strokes 19.6% compared to 26.8% previous year.

Key words

Hypertension, stroke, disability

Funding and Ethical clearance :

This survey was operational which was not funded, ethical clearance was not necessary especially that it only involved reviewing patients’ records but permission was sought from the institution to use hospital data.