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Stroke Survivors who Fall: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Survey in Nigeria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 June 2016

Grace Vincent-Onabajo Open the ORCID record for Grace Vincent-Onabajo [Opens in a new window] ,
Adamu Usman Gamawa ,
Mohammad Usman Ali ,
Fatima Kachalla Gujba  and
Mamman Ali Masta
Grace Vincent-Onabajo*
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy), College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
Adamu Usman Gamawa
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy), College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
Mohammad Usman Ali
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy), College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
Fatima Kachalla Gujba
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy), College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
Mamman Ali Masta
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy), College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Grace Vincent-Onabajo, Department of Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy), College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria. E-mail: teetoe262003@yahoo.com
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Abstract

Background: Falls and fall-related injuries rank among the most common complications after stroke, and are characterised by high rates of morbidity and mortality. This study examined the proportion, and the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of those who fell among stroke survivors attending physiotherapy facilities in selected hospitals in Nigeria.

Methods: Socio-demographic, clinical and falls data were obtained using a researcher-designed questionnaire while the modified Rankin scale (mRS) was used to assess functional ability of the participants. Descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation were used to summarise all data. Pearson's Chi square statistic was used to identify significant socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of those who fell.

Results: One hundred stroke survivors participated in the study with a majority of males (67%). Mean ± SD age of the stroke survivors was 55.97 ± 9.56 years (range = 33–85 years). Thirty-three (33%) stroke survivors fell within the 3 months prior to the study and a significant proportion were older (p < .001) and had more diminished functional ability (p < .001).

Conclusion: A considerable proportion of the stroke survivors fell, especially those in the older age-group and those with diminished functional ability. These findings suggest that improving functional ability after stroke may prevent falls while older stroke survivors would also require intensive falls prevention strategies to reduce their susceptibility to falls post stroke. Longitudinal studies on the incidence and frequency of falls among stroke survivors in Nigeria, and clinical trials on appropriate falls prevention strategies are however urgently required.

Keywords

Fallsstrokeagefunctional ability
Type
Themed articles on Stroke
Information
Brain Impairment , Volume 17 , Issue 2: Themed issue on Stroke , September 2016 , pp. 143 - 150
Copyright
Copyright © Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment 2016 

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