Incidence and Predictors of Post Stroke Seizure among Adult Stroke Patients in Western Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2021: A Retrospective Follow up Study

Background: A seizure is an episode of neurological dysfunction caused by abnormal neuronal activity. Post stroke seizure affects patients’ lives and increase mortality in patients with stroke. It also negatively affects the prognosis of stroke. However, literatures on the occurrence of post-stroke seizure are scanty in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the incidence and predictors of post-stroke seizure in west Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2021. Methods An institution-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted at western Amhara region from September 20/2021, to October 10 / 2021. Patients who included in this study were come from western Amhara region and that admitted at Felege Hiwot compressive specialized hospital stroke care center. Charts of 568 stroke patients were reviewed through a simple random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics and log-binomial regressions model were applied. Result The cumulative incidence and incidence density rate of seizure were 22.18% and 37/1000 persons per day observation respectively. Older age group (ARR = 2.49, 95% CI 1.33–4.69), haemorrhagic stroke (ARR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.25–3.17), Surgical intervention (ARR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.22–2.81) and tramadol medication (ARR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.22–2.81) were found as the significant risk factors of post stroke seizure. Conclusion This study found that older age, hemorrhagic type of stroke, surgical management and use of Tramadol anti-pain medication were found as risk factors that increase the risk of post-stroke seizure. Thus, health care professionals shall give special attention and clinical care accordingly for patients with risk factors of post-stroke seizure.