Stephenson Musiime2025-09-222025-09-222018-05-02https://dspace.ughe.org/handle/123456789/1014Background: Compliance to stroke treatment guidelines is crucial in the care and outcome of stroke patients. This study aimed at establishing the current compliance rate to the guidelines and identifying the possible barriers to their use at Oshen-King Faisal Hospital in an effort to increase the compliance rate to their use. Literature has shown that stroke has high prevalence both in developed and developing countries including in Rwanda. It has been found that following evidence-based guidelines improves the outcome of stroke patients. Studies have identified barriers to use of stroke treatment guidelines and possible measures to overcome them. Methodology: The study was conducted at Oshen-King Faisal Hospital (KFH). Medical files of stroke patients admitted to the hospital between January and December 2017 were audited against the stroke treatment guidelines to establish the current compliance rate. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to all clinicians who handle stroke cases to identify the possible barriers to use of the stroke treatment guidelines. Results: Fifty stroke files were audited and it was found that the current compliance rate to stroke treatment guidelines is 76%, which is below the hospital target of 90%. Fifty-five clinicians completed the questionnaire and the main barriers to use of stroke treatment guidelines identified were the guidelines being time consuming and not user-friendly, a lack of training on the guidelines, low familiarity with and unknown location of the guidelines. Discussion: This study found that the compliance rate to stroke treatment guidelines is lower than the hospital target and the main barriers to its use were mainly related to the guidelines themselves. Therefore KFH management should put in place measures that remove the identified barriers and facilitate compliance to the stroke treatment guidelines. Conclusion: Compliance to stroke treatment guidelines at KFH is low but can be improved if the identified barriers are addressed and put in place by hospital managementenStrokeTertiary hospitalDeveloping countriesHospital managementTreatmentRwandaHealthcaretext::thesis