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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Epilepsy prevalence, potential causes and social beliefs in Ebonyi State and Benue State, Nigeria
Epilepsy Research, Volume 108, No. 2, Year 2014
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Description
Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in Nigeria. Many individuals are affected in rural areas, although prevalence data is not available. In this study we aimed to establish the prevalence of epilepsy in a rural community in south-east Nigeria, a community suspected for having a high number of people living with epilepsy. We compared this with the prevalence in a nearby semi-urban community in north-central Nigeria. In both communities we identified potential causes of epilepsy and obtained information on the social beliefs regarding epilepsy. We used door-to-door surveys and focus group discussions.The epilepsy prevalence in the rural community was 20.8/1000 [95% confidence interval (CI): 15.7-27.4]. The prevalence in the semi-rural community was lower, namely 4.7/1000 [CI: 3.2-6.9]. The difference in prevalence was highly significant (χ2-test, p<0.0001). In both communities most people with epilepsy were in the age range of 7-24 years. Causes that might be contributory to the prevalence of epilepsy in both communities included poor obstetric practices, frequent febrile convulsions, head trauma, meningitis and neurocysticercosis. In both communities we found stigma of people with epilepsy.In conclusion, the epilepsy prevalence in the semi-urban community is similar to that in industrialized countries. In contrast, the rural community has a much higher prevalence. This may require the establishment of specific community-based epilepsy control programs. Community interventions should focus on treatment of acute epilepsy and on stigma reduction. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.
Authors & Co-Authors
Osakwe, Chijioke
Switzerland, Geneva
Organisation Mondiale de la Santé
Otte, Willem M.
Netherlands, Utrecht
Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience
Netherlands, Utrecht
Image Sciences Institute
Netherlands, Utrecht
University Medical Center Utrecht
Alo, Chihurumnanya Nwachi
Nigeria, Abakaliki
Federal Teaching Hospital
Statistics
Citations: 42
Authors: 3
Affiliations: 5
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2013.11.010
ISSN:
09201211
e-ISSN:
18726844
Research Areas
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Qualitative
Study Locations
Nigeria