Aims

The aim of this study was to record stroke admissions to a tertiary referral hospital in Tanzania over four decades.

Methods

We audited the medical records held at a large teaching and tertiary referral hospital in northern Tanzania over four decades. We collected records for the years 1974-76, 1984-86, 1994-95 and 2008. All patients admitted as in-patients with a primary diagnosis of stroke were included in the study. Data collected included, age, sex, stroke sub-type, predominant side of symptoms and survival to discharge.

Results

The number of stroke admssions rose from just four in the three-year period from 1974-76 (mean 1.3 cases annually) to 153 cases annually in 2008. The mean age of those admitted rose steadily during this period, as did the proportion of females admitted.

Conclusions

The burden of stroke on health services in Tanzania appears to have increased rapidly. If this increase is to be slowed then sustainable primary preventative measures to target known stroke risk factors will be required.