Stroke Rehabilitation in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Stroke is the second leading cause of death and disability worldwide, and 87% of stroke-related disability occurs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)[1]. In LMICs, access to acute stroke interventions is often limited, making effective poststroke rehabilitation potentially the best available intervention to promote poststroke recovery.
Here, we discuss the current state of stroke rehabilitation services in LMICs using Zambia as an illustrative case and highlight barriers to rehabilitation and their consequences as well as opportunities for improving poststroke rehabilitation.[2]
Barriers to Stroke Rehabilitation in LMICs[edit | edit source]
There are many barriers to stroke rehabilitation in LMICs, including:
- Health systems factors: LMICs often have weak health systems that are unable to provide adequate rehabilitation services. This can be due to a lack of funding, trained professionals, and rehabilitation facilities.[3]
- Individual factors:Individuals in LMICs may also face barriers to rehabilitation, such as poverty, lack of transportation, and low health literacy.
Consequences of Limited Access to Stroke Rehabilitation[edit | edit source]
The consequences of limited access to stroke rehabilitation can be significant. Individuals who do not receive rehabilitation are more likely to have poor functional outcomes, dependency on others, and depression. They are also more likely to die prematurely.[4]
Opportunities to Improve Stroke Rehabilitation[edit | edit source]
There are a number of opportunities to improve stroke rehabilitation in LMICs. These include:
- Strengthening health systems: LMICs can strengthen their health systems by increasing funding for rehabilitation, training more professionals, and building more rehabilitation facilities.
- Addressing individual barriers:LMICs can also address individual barriers to rehabilitation by providing financial assistance, transportation, and education about stroke and rehabilitation.
- Innovative approaches: LMICs can also use innovative approaches to deliver rehabilitation, such as telerehabilitation and community-based rehabilitation.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Stroke rehabilitation is essential for improving the lives of people affected by stroke. There are many challenges to providing rehabilitation in LMICs, but there are also a number of opportunities to improve access to these services. By addressing these challenges and opportunities, LMICs can make significant progress in reducing the burden of stroke.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ World Health Organization. Global Health Estimates 2016: Stroke. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2017
- ↑ Kayola G, Mataa MM, Asukile M, Chishimba L, Chomba M, Mortel D, Nutakki A, Zimba S, Saylor D. Stroke Rehabilitation in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Challenges and Opportunities. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2023 Feb 1;102(2S Suppl 1):S24-S32. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002128. PMID: 36634327; PMCID: PMC9846582.
- ↑ World Stroke Organization. Stroke Rehabilitation in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Geneva: World Stroke Organization; 201
- ↑ Mtei E, Mrema D, Mapunda M, et al. Availability and utilization of stroke rehabilitation services in Tanzania: A cross-sectional study. BMC Neurol. 2019;19(1):138
