Return to Work and Associated Factors among Workers with Stroke in Cotonou, Benin: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Stroke is a major public health problem.One of the major stroke victims are workers, posing a real occupational health problem.The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with return to work after stroke in Benin. Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out from May 30 to August 30, 2023 in the Neurology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation university clinics of the NUHC-HKM.It involved consenting stroke patients followed up in the two clinics from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2022.Data were collected by means of a physical examination, a questionnaire and the calculation of various scores assessing the degree of disability.Statistical analysis was performed using R software.Logistic regression was performed, where the strength of associations was calculated using odds ratios.Statistical tests had a significance level of 5%.Results: A total of 326 people participated in the study.There were 199 men (61%), presenting a sex ratio of 1.6.Just under half (48.8%) were administrative staff and the other half (51.2%) manual workers.More than half of the 144 respondents (56.6%) were self-employed.The average age at stroke was 49.8 + 9.6 years.Half of the patients (50%) had returned to work, with an average delay of 7.29 +7 months.Factors associated with reintegration included administrative employment (p=0.002),minor stroke (p<0.001),short hospital stay (p=0.002), and completion of post-stroke rehabilitation (p=0.039).Conclusion: Post-stroke socio-professional reintegration is linked to clinical and professional factors.The absence of deficit disorders or the presence of minor deficit disorders facilitated the resumption of a professional activity.It is necessary to insist on the prevention of risk factors and to accompany self-employed workers in the care process.