Stroke in Senegal: a major public health, medical, and social emergency
via SeneNews5 min read
Stroke has become a significant public health issue in Senegal, affecting not only the elderly but also young adults, and sometimes even very young individuals. This trend is attributed to the early rise of cardiovascular risk factors, the prevalence of specific causes in younger patients, and persistent limitations in the healthcare management pathway. A stroke is a sudden brain injury caused by either the occlusion of a cerebral artery or the rupture of an intracranial vessel. In resource-limited countries, the challenge extends beyond understanding the disease to organizing a rapid, standardized, and accessible response. Senegal has developed national standards and protocols for stroke management, but implementation varies across regions and facilities. Available data indicates a substantial burden of strokes in Senegal, with high morbidity and a significant impact on mortality, disability, and quality of life. In children and adolescents, pediatric strokes exist, with sickle cell disease being a major contributing factor. The increase in strokes among young Senegalese is primarily due to early exposure to classic risk factors, with hypertension being the most frequent. Other specific causes in young individuals include heart conditions, sickle cell disease, vascular malformations, coagulation disorders, and sometimes infections or substance use. Lifestyle changes, such as high-salt diets, sedentary behavior, overweight, tobacco, alcohol, and chronic stress, also contribut
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