Factors associated with stroke among patients with hypertension in Eastern Ethiopia: a case-control study

Abstract

Stroke is becoming more commonplace worldwide at an incredible pace. Evidence on stroke among hypertensive patients in low-resource settings is limited, and identified risk vary across populations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with stroke among hypertensive patients in eastern Ethiopia. A hospital based case-control study was conducted from October 1, 2022, to November 30, 2023. Adult hypertensive patients with strokes were included as cases, while hypertensive patients without strokes served as controls. Cases and controls were identified through medical record review. In this study, 107 cases and 214 controls were selected by a systematic random sample technique. Data were collected through interviews, physical measurements, and record review. Stata version 17 was used to analyze the data after it was entered into Epi Data version 4.6. Variables with a p-value < 0.25 in bivariate analysis were included in the multivariable logistic regression model. Statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05 using adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The mean age of cases and controls was 62.9 years (SD ± 13.3) and 49.8 years (SD ± 14.7) respectively. Increasing age (AOR = 1.05, 95%CI: 1.02–1.07), low oxygen saturation (AOR = 0.87, 95%CI: 0.76–0.98), diabetes mellitus (AOR = 2.77, 95%CI: 1.37–5.60), current alcohol consumption (AOR = 3.48, 95%CI: 1.48–8.15) and poor knowledge of hypertension (AOR = 0.41, 95%CI: 0.21–0.82) were significantly associated with stroke. Stroke among hypertensive patients was associated with older age, reduced oxygen saturation, diabetes mellitus, alcohol consumption, and poor knowledge of hypertension. Strengthening health education on modifiable risk factors and integrating targeted lifestyle counseling into routine follow-up care are essential for improving primary stroke prevention.