Introduction Demographic changes and increased exposure to stroke risk factors are expected to give rise to high stroke burden in countries like Bangladesh. However data on stroke prevalence and its related disabilities in rural community of Bangladesh are scarce.

Methods A survey was done in 2006 in a rural population to identify stroke cases living in the community. A validated questionnaire for detection of stroke was used to identify probable cases by visiting households by trained interviewers. Identified probable cases were seen by physicians for confirmation. Physicians also determined the levels of disability according to Modified Rankin Scale.

Results Interviewers identified 61 people as probable stroke cases among the 4080 people aged 30 years or above. Physicians confirmed 26 cases of stroke (men: 21, women: 5) giving a stroke prevalence 64 per 10000 (95% CI 42 to 93). Mean age of onset of stroke was 57 years (95% CI 50 to 64). Various types of residual disabilities such as hemiplegia, paraplegia, facial weakness were noted among the 85% of the patients. The median modified Rankin Scale score was five, which suggests that 50% of the cases had moderate disability such as unable to walk without assistance and unable to attend to own bodily needs without assistance.

Conclusion Number of stroke cases living in the community with disability was high. Appropriate care and rehabilitation programme along with measures for reduction of population risk factor levels are needed.