Association of Risk Factors of Stroke Among Adult Patients Visiting Health Care Facilities: A Case Control Study

Background: Globally, stroke is considered as a common non-communicable health problem of aged population; and has modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. Objectives: To find association of risk factors of stroke among adult patients visiting health care facilities of Swat, Kohat & Peshawar Districts Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Methodology: A case control study was conducted in the Swat, Peshawar, & Kohat districts, of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, from December 2025 to April 2026. A sample size of n=385; with 1:2 i.e. stroke cases n=121, controls=264; were selected via strict restriction criteria. A validated data collecting tool was used to collect information regarding socio-demographic, behavioral, family history; dietary & other co-morbid conditions & risk factors among patients visiting health care facilities. Odds ratio & p value < 0.05 was used to assess significance of association of stroke with risk factors. Finally data was entered in SPSS version 26.0; and then presented in form of tables. Results: In our study; among stroke cases; 26.49% had age > 45 years; 25.19% were male; 20.52% reside in urban setup; 6.23% were illiterate; 9.35% had >75K PKR per month; 18.44% had no occupation; 16.88% were overweight/obese; 22.08% had positive current and or past tobacco smoking status; & 19.48% had some degree of depression/stress. Moreover, among participants; 19.74% had positive family history of stroke; 42.60% had non adherence to medications; 58.96% had hypertension; 65.45% had dyslipidemia; & 45.45% had diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, 67.27%; 66.49%; & 58.96%; prefer salt, sugar, & fruits respectively. Additionally, among stroke patients; 12.73%; & 21.82% prefer vegetables & meat respectively. Furthermore, among participants; 53.77% didn’t perform any physical exercise; & 58.70% led a sedentary life style. Conclusions: Stroke showed strong association with age, education level, monthly income, body mass index, tobacco smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, sedentary life style, & unhealthy dietary pattern; & thus personnel, behavioral and dietary interventions were needed to reduce stroke and its modifiable risk factors among adult populations.