A systematic evaluation of stroke surveillance studies in low- and middle-income countries.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Reliable quantification of the burden of stroke in low- and middle-income (LMI) countries is difficult as population-based surveillance reports are scarce and may vary considerably in methodology. We aimed to evaluate all available primary stroke surveillance studies by applying components of a benchmark protocol (WHO STEPwise approach to stroke surveillance) and quantify the reported burden of stroke in LMI settings.

Methods

Electronic databases Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge were searched for population-based surveillance studies. Studies conducted in the LMI countries that reported on incident stroke were included. Data were extracted from each study using a prestructured format. Information on epidemiologic measures including crude and age-adjust

SUBMITTER: Sajjad A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3590061 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature