Prevalence and pattern of cognitive impairment among neurological outpatients in Kano, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Cognitive impairment is a progressive neurodegenerative syndrome and a major contributor to disability among individuals with neurological disorders. Despite its growing burden, cognitive impairment remains understudied in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Nigeria, where hospital-based data are scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of cognitive impairment among neurological outpatients in Kano, Nigeria, and to examine associations with selected sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 75 adult neurological outpatients attending two tertiary hospitals in Kano. Cognitive impairment was assessed using the Mini-Cog. Prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, and associations between cognitive impairment and sociodemographic or clinical factors were analyzed using Chi-square tests and Cramer’s V. The Blessed Dementia Rating Scale (BDRS) was used for severity staging only. The prevalence of screening-detected cognitive impairment was 72.0% (95% CI: 60.9–82.0) using the Mini-Cog. Cognitive impairment was more frequent among stroke survivors compared with other neurological conditions. Significant associations were observed with gender ( p = 0.027, V = 0.26), employment status ( p < 0.001, V = 0.42), and type of neurological disorder ( p = 0.017, V = 0.34). Screening-detected cognitive impairment is highly prevalent among neurological outpatients in Kano, Nigeria, particularly among stroke survivors. Routine cognitive screening should be integrated into neurological care in this setting. However, findings should be interpreted as screening-based estimates requiring clinical confirmation.