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Amherst College

Publication Date

Spring 2024

Program Name

Kenya: Global Health and Human Rights

Abstract

Introduction: The burden that neurological diseases put on health systems is high, and growing across the globe, especially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) like Kenya. For this reason, our study sought out to study the burden and impact of neurological diseases at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) and Kisumu County Referral Hospital (KCRH), which are in Western Kenya.

Methods: Utilizing data from handwritten patient records spanning 23 months, our study collected said data and analyzed the prevalence, incidence, distribution, and outcomes of different neurological diseases as they impact the Kisumu community.

Results/Discussion: Comparing common neurological diagnoses at JOOTRH and KCRH, stroke was the most prevalent, followed by meningitis, encephalitis/encephalopathy, epilepsy/seizure, respectively. From these results, we quantified the morbidity, mortality, disability, and quality of life due to multifaceted neurological diseases. Particularly, stroke and meningitis presented a very high percentage of cases that resulted in death, a pointer to the dire need for targeted interventions. In addition, demographic analyses showed gender bias in disease incidences: more cases of stroke were reported in women compared to men, and other diagnoses topped in men. Also, age also turned out to be a significant risk factor for neurological diseases, with most stroke patients aged above 40 years. Finally, our findings help highlight the different impacts that neurological diseases have on rural and urban areas as compared to previous studies done in rural settings.

Conclusion: In summary, this study helps to understand the epidemiological trends and impacts of neurological diseases in Western Kenya and, hence, provide useful insights for health policymakers, practice, and future research initiatives toward enhancing neurological care and patient outcomes in LMIC settings. In the future, studies should include data from private healthcare facilities and integrate patient perspectives by using qualitative methods like interviews. From those insights, researchers would be able to unearth critical insights into socio-cultural, economic, and structural factors influencing healthcare-seeking behavior and mediators of treatment outcomes relevant for more targeted, patient-centered interventions for the conditions highlighted in our study.

Disciplines

African Studies | Clinical Epidemiology | Medical Neurobiology | Neurology | Quantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies

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