Uchenna Cosmas Ugwu
Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Faculty of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria
Osmond Chukwuemeka Ene
Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Faculty of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria
Blessing Amuchechi Omeh
Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Faculty of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria
Cordelia Chinonyerem Ugwu
Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Faculty of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria
Agatha Nneka Obayi
Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Faculty of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria
Chuka Mackson Jones
Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Faculty of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria
Population ageing has led to a growing burden of chronic disability among older adults, particularly those living with post-stroke conditions and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). These conditions often coexist, compounding functional limitations and care needs, yet nationally representative data from Nigeria remain scarce. This study examined the prevalence, patterns, and correlates of MSDs among older adults with post-stroke disabilities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. A hospital-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between February 2024 and July 2025 in six purposively selected tertiary hospitals. Older adults aged ≥60 years with confirmed MSDs and post-stroke disabilities were consecutively recruited, yielding 305 valid participants. Data were collected using a culturally adapted, multilingual structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and odds ratios at a significance level of p < 0.05. Participants were predominantly aged ≥70 years (66.2%) and female (64.9%). A high burden of MSDs was observed in 66.6% of respondents. Common conditions included tendinopathies and bursitis, low back pain, sarcopenia, gout, and osteoarthritis. Frequently reported post-stroke disabilities were speech difficulties, dependence in daily activities, and social isolation. Higher MSD prevalence was significantly associated with older age, female sex, marital status, living with family, medication dependence, and longer stroke duration. Multivariate analysis indicated increased odds of MSDs among adults aged ≥70 years, females, those living with family, and individuals with prolonged post-stroke duration. These findings highlight the substantial musculoskeletal burden among older Nigerians with post-stroke disabilities and underscore the need for integrated geriatric, neurological, and musculoskeletal care models to improve functional outcomes and quality of life in this growing population.
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Copyright © 2025 Uchenna Cosmas Ugwu, Osmond Chukwuemeka Ene, Blessing Amuchechi Omeh, Cordelia Chinonyerem Ugwu, Agatha Nneka Obayi, Chuka Mackson Jones
This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.
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