Incidence and predictors of post stroke seizure among adult stroke patients admitted at Felege Hiwot compressive specialized hospital, Bahir Dar, North West Ethiopia, 2021: a retrospective follow up study

BACKGROUND: A post stroke seizure is a period of neurological dysfunction caused by abnormal neuronal activity. Seizures after a stroke have an impact on patients' lives and increase mortality in stroke patients. It also has a negative impact on the prognosis of stroke. However, there is a scarcity of literature in Ethiopia on the occurrence of post-stroke seizures. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the incidence and predictors of post-stroke seizure at Felege Hiwot compressive specialized hospital, North West Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based retrospective follow-up study was carried out at Felege Hiwot Compressive Specialized Hospital, North West Ethiopia from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2021. The records of 568 stroke patients were reviewed using a random sample method. To find predictors of post-stroke seizures, we applied the log-binomial regression model. RESULT: The incidence of post-stroke seizures was 22.18%( 95% CI 18.83%—25.83%). Older age group (ARR = 2.49, 95% CI 1.33–4.69), hemorrhagic 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 to be predictors of post stroke seizure. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the incidence of post stroke seizure was high and older age, haemorrhagic type of stroke, surgical management, and use of tramadol anti-pain medication are risk factors for post-stroke seizures. Therefore, health care professionals must pay special attention and provide clinical care to patients who have risk factors for post-stroke seizure.