In Western countries, progress has lessened the severity of numerous sequels of verbal communication disorders (VCD). For Africa and more particularly Benin, few data on the subject are presently available.
Objective: To analyze the occurrence and development of post-stroke VCD in Benin.
Method: A retrospective, descriptive and analytical study focused on 563 post-stroke patients treated in rehabilitation department of the National university hospital of Cotonou (CNHU) from January 2006 through December 2010.
Results: VCD prevalence was 42.10%. Average age was 57.17 ± 12.62 years, sex ratio was 1.75, and 74.69% were right-handed. VCD affected oral expression (95.78%), written expression (2.11%), oral comprehension (13.08%) and written comprehension or reading (0.84%). Type of stroke, sex and age had no impact on VCD occurrence following stroke. Only 5.91% of the patients underwent speech therapy. Progression was favorable in 21.09% of the cases studied.
Conclusion: In Benin, post-stroke VCD is exceedingly common and occasions major social difficulties. Prevalence of VCD in a predominantly oral culture underscores the need for speech therapists to develop a more broadly ecological approach toward treatment.
Keywords: AVC; Benin; Bénin; Rééducation orthophonique; Speech therapy; Stroke; Troubles de la communication verbale; Verbal communication disorder.
Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.