Background: Stroke is the abrupt onset of a neurologic deficit and attributable to a focal vascular cause. It is an alarming issue and the third leading cause of deaths globally. Stroke was considered as a disease of developed nations, but now it becomes a top priority public health problem to developing countries as a result of globalization, which results in life style change, and less attention to prevent non-communicable diseases. This study was aimed to assess the magnitude of stroke and associated factors among patients attended the medical department of Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital between September 2014 and September 2015.

Methods: An institution based cross sectional study was conducted among 427 adult (≥30 years old) stroke patient records in June 2016. Data were extracted from the Internal Medicine Department patient registration logbook using data extraction guideline. SPSS version 20 was used to edit and analyze data. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were computed to describe study objectives and identify factors associated with stroke, respectively.

Results: Nearly one-third (36.8%) of reviewed records went to female patients. Nearly two third (60%) patients were aged above 50 years old. About 48(11.2%), 120(28%), 73(17.1%) and 77(18%) patients had diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiac and unknown diagnosis, respectively. Only 32(7.5%) were stroke patients (56.7% ischemic and 43.3% haemorrhagic). The majority (63.6%) were male stroke patients and 56.7% were urban residents. Older age, being (hypertensive, diabetes and cardiac), alcohol intake and cigarette smoking were significant factors to stroke.

Conclusions: The magnitude of stroke among Internal Medicine Department attendees in Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital was lower compared with previous studies. Age, co morbidity (cardiac, diabetes and hypertensive), alcohol intake and cigarette smoking were identified factors to stroke. Thus, improving personal behaviour/ life style/ and early screening are important to prevent stroke in the study area. [ Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2016;30(3):129-134]