Stroke remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia. To determine treatment outcomes and identify predictors of poor outcomes among stroke patients admitted to Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HUCSH), Sidama, Ethiopia, in 2024. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 105 consecutive adult stroke patients from June 1 to November 30, 2024. Data on socio-demographics, clinical profile, management, complications, and discharge outcomes were collected using structured questionnaires and medical records. Bivariable logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of poor outcome. Males comprised 60% of the 105 hospitalized stroke patients, with a mean age of 58.4 years. Haemorrhagic stroke (50.5%) slightly outnumbered ischemic stroke (49.5%), and hypertension was prevalent in 52.9%. The median time to hospital admission was 12 hours, with 48.6% arriving within 12 hours. Good treatment outcomes were observed in 72.4% (n=76), while poor outcomes occurred in 27.6% (n=29), including 8.6% in-hospital mortality. Significant predictors of poor outcome included in-hospital complications (p=0.003), haemorrhagic stroke (p=0.039), GCS 12 hours (p=0.026). HUCSH achieved a favourable outcome rate of 72.4%, better than previous regional reports. Complications, haemorrhagic stroke, low GCS, and delayed presentation were key drivers of poor outcomes. Enhanced public awareness, early hypertension control, rapid hospital transfer, and improved inpatient complication prevention are recommended to further reduce stroke burden in southern Ethiopia.
Anamo et al. (Fri,) studied this question.