A neurologist at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Ghana has expressed concern over the increasing number of young people suffering from strokes. Dr. Priscilla Abrafi Asafo-Adjei stated that nearly half of the over 1,000 stroke admissions recorded annually at the hospital involve people below the age of 45. This trend is alarming, as it affects the productive workforce and breadwinners of families.
Dr. Asafo-Adjei made these remarks during a free community health screening exercise at Antoakrom in the Manso Nkwanta Constituency. The exercise was organized by the KATH multidisciplinary stroke team in collaboration with the Member of Parliament for the area, Tweneboa Kodua Fokuo. The goal was to identify people with hypertension, diabetes, and other conditions that increase the risk of stroke, while promoting early detection and preventive healthcare.
The Amansie West District Health Director, Dr. Bernard Badu Bediako, noted that increasing cases of hypertension and diabetes in the district have necessitated a shift towards community-based screening. Hypertension already features among the top ten causes of outpatient department (OPD) attendance in the district, accounting for between five and six percent of cases. The district is experiencing a rise in hypertension and diabetes cases among young people, including those in their 20s, 30s, and 40s.
The screening exercise was not limited to Antoakrom, as residents from adjoining communities were also being brought in to benefit. The District Health Directorate manages hypertension and diabetes cases locally but refers suspected stroke cases to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for further management. Early detection and treatment are crucial in preventing stroke and improving outcomes.
According to Dr. Bediako, unhealthy eating habits, excessive salt and sugar consumption, fatty meals, and physical inactivity are some of the lifestyle factors contributing to rising hypertension and diabetes cases. Demanding work schedules are also leaving many residents with little time for physical exercise. He urged the public to adopt healthier lifestyles by reducing their consumption of salt, fatty foods, sugary drinks, and energy drinks.
Health authorities stress the importance of regular health checks, particularly for people who may be living with undiagnosed hypertension, diabetes, or abnormal cholesterol levels. They advise people diagnosed with hypertension to adhere to prescribed medication and attend regular medical reviews. Sustained community screening, early diagnosis, and appropriate treatment are essential to reducing the growing burden of stroke.
The health professionals at KATH and the Amansie West District Health Directorate are working together to promote preventive healthcare and reduce the risk of stroke in the community. By identifying and managing risk factors, they aim to improve health outcomes and reduce the number of stroke admissions in the district.
Key points
- Nearly half of the over 1,000 stroke admissions recorded annually at KATH involve people below the age of 45.
- Hypertension and diabetes are major risk factors for stroke, and their cases are increasing among young people in the Amansie West District.
- Health authorities are promoting community-based screening, early detection, and preventive healthcare to reduce the growing burden of stroke.
