Prevalence of Psychosocial Triggers in the Seven Days Preceding a Stroke in Lomé (Togo, West Africa) in 2024

<i>Introduction: </i>In Togo, a West African country, curative treatment for strokes, which constitute a public health problem, is limited. Prevention remains the most effective strategy for combating strokes. This study aims to describe the potential psychosocial triggers of strokes to better guide stroke prevention strategies. <i>Method: </i>This was a cross-sectional study conducted from August to October 2024 in the neurology departments of the Lomé University Hospital Campus and the Kara University Hospital, which receive approximately 1,200 hospitalized stroke patients per year. Patients hospitalized for a clinical stroke diagnosed by brain imaging and/or their caregivers were interviewed. Psychosocial factors present in the seven days preceding the stroke were considered. Life events were explored using the Holmes and Raha Stress Scale and the Interview for Recent Life Events. <i>Results: </i>One hundred and forty-two patients were included: 61.3% cerebral infarctions and 38.7% hemorrhagic strokes; the mean age was 55 +/- 12.6 years, and the sex ratio (M/F) = 1.1. Traders accounted for 31.0% of patients. Psychosocial triggers were found in 75.4% of patients in the seven days preceding the stroke. In 78.5% of patients, these were negative emotions related to difficulties at work (25.4%) and financial difficulties (21.1%). <i>Conclusion: </i>In our context, negative emotions are common in the days preceding strokes. They must therefore be taken into account in stroke prevention strategies. In practice, each awareness-raising session on cardiovascular risk factors should also be an opportunity to address these psychosocial factors.