Factors associated with stroke burden in India

Objective: Stroke is one of the largest public health challenges in India. Several factors have been implicated for stroke. The present paper aims to explore associated factors from nationally representative data. Among different variables, smoking, alcohol, smokeless tobacco (SLT), second-hand smoking (SHS), use of clean fuel, and economic condition were considered. Methods: Data were taken from three reports – National Family Health Survey 4, Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2: India 2016–17, and India: Health of the Nation's States. The state-wise analysis was done. Spearman's correlation coefficient and multivariate linear regression were used. Results: Five states from the eastern part of India, viz., West Bengal, Odisha, Tripura, Assam, and Chhattisgarh, recorded the highest burden of stroke. The use of SLT was significantly related to stroke burden (r 0.476). Clean fuel and better economic conditions were found to reduce stroke burden (r S722;0.449 and − 0.363, respectively). SLT (B 21.029, P = 0.011) and SHS at work (B 25.905, P = 0.030) were associated with stroke burden significantly. Conclusion: States with the highest proportion of SLT need special intervention to reduce stroke burden in the country.