Risk Factors of First Ever Stroke Patients in Babil Governorate / Iraq. Hospital Based Case-Control Study 2014-2015

This hospital-based case-control study, conducted in Babil Governorate, Iraq, from October 2014 to February 2015, investigates risk factors for first-ever stroke among 200 patients and 200 matched controls. Drawing on clinical data, physical exams, and lifestyle assessments, the study identifies hypertension (adjusted OR=25.6), diabetes, atrial fibrillation, smoking, and oral contraceptive use (adjusted OR=18.2) as significant predictors, with ischemic stroke dominating (86% of cases). Gender-specific patterns emerged, with hypertension and obesity notably prominent in women. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted prevention strategies in Iraq, addressing modifiable risk factors to curb the rising stroke burden in low-to-middle-income settings.