Effect of Body Mass and Smoking on Development of Stroke In Gaza Strip: Retrospective Study

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effect of Body Mass (BM) and smoking on the development of stroke in a representative retrospective design among men and women in Gaza strip (GS). Methods: We analyzed a data base of 200 men and women aged between 35-70 years and selected by convenience sample. Those patients have been diagnosed with stroke and history of hypertension only and the diagnosis of stroke has been confirmed with physician and computed tomography scan. Self report structure interview was used to collect data by trained interviewers in Arabic language for ease of comprehension by the patient and family. Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyze the obtained data. Results: There was a significant difference of BM (overweight and obesity) on the development of stroke as evidence by (Chi-square test 40.6 and P value 0.000) while there was no significant difference of smoking on development of stroke as evidence by (Chi-square test. 98 and P value 0.322). On the other hand, our finding revealed a significant difference of smoking on development of stroke only among male smokers after adjustment of female gender (Chisquare test 39.1 and P value 0.000). Conclusions: BM was associated with the development of stroke in general among men and women but smoking was associated with development of stroke among smokers' men only. Further study is recommended to identify the effect of BM in different subtypes of stroke (ischemic, thrombus and hemorrhagic). Therefore, smoking cessation and reducing body weight programs should be an important strategy for reducing …