• Madu Anazoeze Jude, Galadanci Najiba Aliyu, Aisha Mohammed Nalado, Kangiwa Umar Garba, Fowodu O Florence, Ahmed Hassan, Marcus Inyama, Oluwaseun Akinpelu, Nwagha Theresa, Ibegbulam Obike Godswill, Ocheni Sunday, Emodi Ifeoma, Ikefuna Anthony, Chukwu Batholomew, Okocha E Chide, Orkuma Joseph, Iheanacho Malachy, Kaladada Korubo, Anike Uchenna Sabastine, Agu Kingsley, Charles Nonyelu, Angela Ugwu, Augustin Duru, Chukwudi Anigbo, Alozie Eze, Awele Chukwurah, Uchenna Ololo, Caroline Omoti, Obineche Agwu, and Okpala Iheanyi.
• Department of Haematology & Immunology, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC), Enugu.
• Afr Health Sci. 2014 Jun 1; 14 (2): 446-52.

BackgroundStroke is a life-changing, debilitating complication of sickle cell disease (SCD). Previous studies had recorded high stroke prevalence amongst this group of patients. Nigeria has a large population of people affected by this condition and this study aims to assess the stroke prevalence in this large population.MethodologyStroke prevalence data from 14 physicians working in 11 tertiary health centres across the country was collated by doctors using the sickle cell registers and patient case notes. This data was then collated and used to obtain the overall stroke prevalence in adult and children.ResultsThe stroke prevalence in sickle cell disease patients in Nigeria was observed to be 12.4 per 1000 patients. Prevalence in the adult patients was 17.7 per 1000 patients and 7.4 per 1000 patients in children. Twenty three percent of the affected patients had more than stroke episode.ConclusionThe stroke prevalence in Nigeria is lower than previously recorded rates and further studies will be required to investigate other factors which may play a role.

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