title: Stroke prevalence amongst sickle cell disease patients in Nigeria: a multi-centre study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stroke 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stroke 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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology & Immunology, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC), Enugu.
authors.forename: Madu Anazoeze
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Jude
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.
authors.forename: Galadanci Najiba
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Aliyu
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.
authors.forename: Aisha Mohammed
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Nalado
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Federal Medical center, Birinin Kebbi.
authors.forename: Kangiwa Umar
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Garba
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, University College Hospital, Ibadan.
authors.forename: Fowodu O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Florence
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar.
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inyama
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso.
authors.forename: Oluwaseun
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Akinpelu
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology & Immunology, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC), Enugu.
authors.forename: Nwagha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Theresa
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology & Immunology, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC), Enugu.
authors.forename: Ibegbulam Obike
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Godswill
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology & Immunology, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC), Enugu.
authors.forename: Ocheni
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sunday
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus.
authors.forename: Emodi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ifeoma
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus.
authors.forename: Ikefuna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Anthony
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus.
authors.forename: Chukwu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Batholomew
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi.
authors.forename: Okocha E
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Chide
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Benue state Unversity, Makurdi, Benue State.
authors.forename: Orkuma
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Federal Medical Center, Owerri.
authors.forename: Iheanacho
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Malachy
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Kaladada
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Korubo
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology & Immunology, University of Nigeria Teaching hospital, Ituku-Ozalla.
authors.forename: Anike Uchenna
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Sabastine
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology & Immunology, University of Nigeria Teaching hospital, Ituku-Ozalla.
authors.forename: Agu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kingsley
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology & Immunology, University of Nigeria Teaching hospital, Ituku-Ozalla.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nonyelu
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology & Immunology, University of Nigeria Teaching hospital, Ituku-Ozalla.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ugwu
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology & Immunology, University of Nigeria Teaching hospital, Ituku-Ozalla.
authors.forename: Augustin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Duru
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology & Immunology, University of Nigeria Teaching hospital, Ituku-Ozalla.
authors.forename: Chukwudi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Anigbo
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology & Immunology, University of Nigeria Teaching hospital, Ituku-Ozalla.
authors.forename: Alozie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eze
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology & Immunology, University of Nigeria Teaching hospital, Ituku-Ozalla.
authors.forename: Awele
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chukwurah
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology & Immunology, University of Nigeria Teaching hospital, Ituku-Ozalla.
authors.forename: Uchenna
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ololo
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Omoti
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology & Immunology, University of Nigeria Teaching hospital, Ituku-Ozalla.
authors.forename: Obineche
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Agwu
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology & Immunology, University of Nigeria Teaching hospital, Ituku-Ozalla.
authors.forename: Okpala
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Iheanyi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Nigeria; prevalence; sickle cell; stroke