prevalence of motor and non-motor impairments in nigerian stroke survivors

Objectives: this study aimed to examine the prevalence of pain, motor, and cognitive impairments, as well as the comorbidities associated with them, among older adult patients with stroke at the osun state university teaching hospital in osogbo city, nigeria. methods: this cross-sectional study involved a survey of older adult patients with stroke receiving care at osun state university teaching hospital. the prevalence of different post-stroke symptoms was assessed using validated instruments. results: this study included 261 stroke survivors with a mean age of 69.4 years. the majority of them had pain (70.1%), balance impairment (93.9%), and mild cognitive impairment (80.8%). the prevalence of these symptoms varied by age, sex, and education level. participants aged ≥75 years had lower odds of having pain than those aged 55-64 years (odds ratio [or]=0.34, 95% ci, 0.15%, 0.76%, p=0.01), and the hausas and igbos had lower odds of having pain compared to their yoruba counterparts (or=0.24, 95% ci, 0.07%, 0.78%, p=0.02; or=0.25, 95% ci, 0.07%, 0.88%, p=0.03). male participants were significantly less likely to have cognitive impairment than female participants (or=0.43, 95%, 0.21%, 0.87%, p=0.02). no significant correlation was found between balance impairment and the other variables. discussion: this study revealed a high prevalence of pain, balance impairment, and mild cognitive impairment among older adult patients with stroke in nigeria. these symptoms may affect stroke survivors’ ability to regain function and overall health. the findings also suggest that age, sex, and education level may influence the occurrence and severity of these symptoms. this study reported a high prevalence of pain, balance impairment, and mild cognitive impairment among older adult patients with stroke in a teaching hospital in nigeria. the findings also indicated that age, sex, and education level may influence the likelihood of these symptoms among stroke survivors. therefore, this study suggests that more attention should be given to the assessment and management of these symptoms to enhance the quality of life and functional outcomes of stroke survivors.