return to work and associated factors among workers with stroke in cotonou, benin: a cross-sectional study

Background: stroke is a major public health problem. one of the major stroke victims are workers, posing a real occupational health problem. the aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with return to work after stroke in benin.materials and methods: a cross-sectional study was carried out from may 30 to august 30, 2023 in the neurology and physical medicine and rehabilitation university clinics of the nuhc-hkm. it involved consenting stroke patients followed up in the two clinics from january 1, 2018 to december 31, 2022. data were collected by means of a physical examination, a questionnaire and the calculation of various scores assessing the degree of disability. statistical analysis was performed using r software. logistic regression was performed, where the strength of associations was calculated using odds ratios. statistical tests had a significance level of 5%.results: a total of 326 people participated in the study. there were 199 men (61%), presenting a sex ratio of 1.6. just under half (48.8%) were administrative staff and the other half (51.2%) manual workers. more than half of the 144 respondents (56.6%) were self-employed. the average age at stroke was 49.8 + 9.6 years. half of the patients (50%) had returned to work, with an average delay of 7.29 +7 months. factors associated with reintegration included administrative employment (p=0.002), minor stroke (p<0.001), short hospital stay (p=0.002), and completion of post-stroke rehabilitation (p=0.039). conclusion: post-stroke socio-professional reintegration is linked to clinical and professional factors. the absence of deficit disorders or the presence of minor deficit disorders facilitated the resumption of a professional activity. it is necessary to insist on the prevention of risk factors and to accompany self-employed workers in the care process.