The Prevalence of Acquired Neurologic Speech and Language Disorder among Adult Neurologic Patients in Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital, a Retrospective Study
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2024-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Acquired neurological speech and language disorders such as aphasia, arthritis, ataxia and
cognitive communication impairments can be caused by neurological conditions that interfere
with communication. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of acquired neurological
speech and language disorders and associated factors among neurological patients at Tikur
Anbesa Specialized Hospital that received care from January 2023 to December 2023.
Retrospective study design on secondary data is used to randomly select records of 384 study
participants. Clinical judgment of neurology residents or neurologist is used to as measuring
tool for screening ANSLD. Of study participants, 52.9% were females and 47.1% were male.
53.4% were young adults (<50yrs) while 46.6% were old adult (>50 yrs). Among the neurological
conditions stroke was the leading (33.6%) while Huntington’s disease was the least (0.3%).
Prevalence of ANSLD was found to be 14.1%. Of ANSLD 38.9% of them had aphasia,
Dysarthria and undifferentiated speech language disorders constitute 7.4% & 53.7%
respectively. Stroke (AOR=25.7, 95%CI, 9.9-66.9, P<0.001), GBS (AOR=15.8, 95%CI, 1.4-
179.5. P=0.026), MG (AOR=23.7, 95%CI, 3.5-160.8, P=0.001) AND MS (AOR=15.8, 95%CI,
1.4-179.5, P=0.026) were found to have significant association with ANSLD.in this study it is
found that ANSLD was lower compared to other studies. Association observed with stroke, GBS,
MG, & MS was consistent with other different studies. Based on the findings of this study, it is
recommended that the Federal Ministry of Health should allocate adequate resources to
integrate speech and language therapists in department of neurology at TASH. The Department
of Neurology at TASH should follow universal measuring toll for screening acquired neurologic
speech and language disorder.
Description
Keywords
Adult Neurologic Patients