Quality of life indicators among recent Ghanaian stroke survivors across 10 hospitals: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Despite the increased burden of stroke in sub-Saharan Africa, studies assessing patient-centered outcomes such as quality of life (QoL) in the population are limited. We sought to assess the QoL, compare domain scores by sex, as well as their determinants among recent stroke survivors in Ghana. Methods: This multi-centre cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 health facilities in Ghana. We used the European Quality of Life Scale-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) to assess the QoL among 500 individuals who had survived a stroke within one month of symptom onset and had uncontrolled hypertension. Factors significantly associated with QoL were assessed using multivariable linear regression. Results: : 0.21, 95%CI: 0.13, 0.29) were significantly associated with better QoL (EQ-VAS score). In sex-stratified analyses, male participants living in semi-urban or urban areas, with higher income, and with a higher Barthel index were significantly associated with better QoL. Among female participants, having an untyped stroke type was associated with lower QoL, whereas a higher Barthel index was associated with better QoL. Conclusion: Functional independence, sociodemographic factors, and sex affect the QoL of this cohort of recent stroke survivors with uncontrolled hypertension in Ghana. Living in urban areas, higher functional independence, female sex, and higher income were associated with better QoL. In contrast, having an untyped CT scan was associated with lower QoL among women. Socioeconomic factors and prior health problems in recent stroke survivors significantly influence QoL. Post-stroke QoL may be enhanced by strategies that improve functional recovery and address the social determinants of health.