Stroke incidence rates among black residents of Harare--a prospective community-based study.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the crude incidence rates of cerebrovascular accidents among the black residents of Harare.


METHODS
Prospective community-based study.


METHODS
Black residents of Harare, Zimbabwe.


METHODS
Two hundred and seventy-three 'first-ever' strokes prospectively identified over a 12-month period. MAIN OUTCOME STUDY FACTORS: Cerebrovascular accident first-week fatality rate; age- and sex-related incidence.


RESULTS
The crude incidence rate was estimated to be 30.7 per 100000 (95% confidence interval 27.1-34.4) and the standardised rate was 68 per 100000. Fifty-one per cent of stroke victims were below the age of 54 years. Thirty-five per cent of patients died within 1 week of the stroke. Overall, the age-specific rates for both sexes rose with age, with the rates for women being higher at all age strata except for the group 45-54 years.


CONCLUSIONS
With a standardised rate of 68 per 100000 and a first-week mortality rate of 35%, stroke must now be considered an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the population.
Matenga
J
J
Clinical Epidemiology Unit, University of Zimbabwe, Harare.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000208:ethnology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology