Place of residence and timely access to stroke care in Ethiopia

Background In Ethiopia, stroke related deaths are increasing due to lifestyle changes and improved life expectancy. Limited access to healthcare facilities, diagnostic investigations, and patient delays in receiving medical attention negatively influence the outcome of stroke in Ethiopia. Objectives This study investigates the association between places of residence and timely stroke care access in Ethiopia. Methods Medical records containing complete patient information and confirmed diagnosis of stroke using neuroimaging techniques were included in the study. The patients’ place of residence was categorised into those who lived in Addis Ababa and those lived outside Addis Ababa. Timely stroke care was defined as patients who present within 24 hours after onset of symptoms and signs of stroke. The necessary data was entered into SPSS version 26 and logistic regression was used to assess associations between the patient’s residency and timely stroke care access. Result Place of residency and referral were significantly associated with arrival time at the stroke centre. Compared to patients from AA, patients from outside AA had 7.5 times higher odds of arriving later than 24 hours (AOR = 7.5; 95%CI 2.96, 19.1; p < 0.001). Similarly, compared to self-referred patients, patients referred by health institutions had 8.7 times higher odds of arriving later than 24 hours (AOR = 8.7; 95%CI 3.4, 22.04; p < 0.001) Conclusion The findings suggest that individuals residing in Addis Ababa and those who are self-referred are more likely to seek medical attention promptly after stroke onset. These result underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve stroke care access in regions outside the capital and the need for timely referral in health facilities.