Objective: To explore the prevalence, risk factors of stroke, post stroke disability and depression in a top-ten high stroke prevalence province in Thailand.

Material and Method: A cross sectional study on stratified community-based sampling of population aged over thirty five years in Phatthalung province was conducted. The demographic data and cardiovascular risk factors were collected, and the subjects with stroke were identified and confirmed by a neurologist. Barthel’s Index (BI) as well as the Thai Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS) assessed the post stroke disability and depression.

Results: A total subjects of 2,843 were enrolled. The prevalence of stroke was 2.21% (95% Confidence Interval; 95% CI 0.017 to 0.028). The significant risk factors for stroke found were hypertension (OR 11.95; 95% CI 6.291 to 22.710), age fifty five years old or more (OR 2.94; 95% CI 1.612 to 5.378), smoking (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.073 to 2.632), and male gender (OR 1.67; 95% CI 1.002 to 2.776). The mean BI score was 10.13, and the prevalence of post stroke depression was as high as 72.5%. The young, recent and severely disabled stroke patients had a higher prevalence of post-stroke.

Conclusion: Hypertension, advanced age, smoking, and male gender were the significant risk factors for stroke. Apart from physical disability, proper care and management of post stroke depression should be emphasized in a holistic approach.