Abstract HUP3: Sex Disparities in Stroke in Senegal

Abstract

Introduction: Sex disparities in stroke exist but have been poorly described in sub-Saharan African countries like Senegal. Purpose: To determine the socioeconomic and clinical differences in stroke between men and women who present with stroke in two stroke-treating hospitals in Senegal. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of patients with acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke admitted to the two leading stroke-treating hospitals in Senegal. Data on demographics, risk factors, clinical presentation, and outcomes were collected and analyzed by sex. Results: We included 500 participants, with 53.2% being women. The mean ages were 56.6 ± 16.9 and 57.8 ± 16.9 for women and men, respectively. Women were more likely to be unemployed (P < 0.001), have lower income (P = 0.005), lower level of education (P = 0.012), and be single (P < 0.001). Women were also more likely to present late after stroke onset, though this was not statistically significant. For risk factors, hypertension and diabetes were more common in women, though the difference was not statistically significant. Smoking was more common in men (P = 0.012), while metabolic syndrome was more common in women (P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in stroke type, NIHSS score at admission (P = 0.063), and MRS at discharge (P = 0.135) between the two groups. The most common complications in-hospital were pneumonia in men and urinary tract infections in women. Conclusion: We found significant sex disparities in socioeconomic status among stroke survivors in Senegal, primarily socioeconomic disparities, with women survivors experiencing greater socioeconomic vulnerability. Our findings highlight the need for sex-specific stroke care systems that take into account the unique needs and challenges faced by women stroke survivors. Our results also underscore the need for implementing socioeconomic empowerment programs and integrating sex-specific considerations into national stroke care guidelines and policies.