Abstract
INTRODUCTION: in sub-Saharan Africa, the proportion of persons with epilepsy who seek traditional treatment is estimated at 80%. Despite that children are the firsts concerned by epilepsy, the characteristics and particularities of the children with epilepsy (CWE) who resort to traditional treatment are not known. The aim of this pilot study was to identify clinical particularities of the CWE who resort to traditional treatment. METHODS: CWE between 6 to 17 years were included in the study based on their histories of previous antiepileptic treatments. The CWE previously treated by traditional healers were compared to others CWE. RESULTS: data from 140 CWE whose previous treatments had been documented were selected. The duration of epilepsy (7 [3.0-9.8] years versus 3 [1.0-7.0] years, p=0.013) was higher for the CWE traditionally treated compared to the CWE without any antiepileptic treatment. The seizure frequency (8.7 [1.5-91.3]/month versus 1 [3-30.4]/month, p=0.036) was higher for the CWE traditionally treated compared to the CWE without any antiepileptic treatment, but the p-value was under the Bonferroni correction (p=0.017). There was no differences between the CWE traditionally treated and the CWE previously treated with antiepileptic drugs. CONCLUSION: compared to others, the CWE who resort to traditional medicine spend much time before consulting health facilities and could have a more serious epilepsy. We have discussed on factors that could explain these differences.
Highlights
In sub-Sahara, epilepsy is the most common serious neurological disease for the paediatric populations
Excepted for previous treatment, the children with epilepsy (CWE) excluded were comparable to others CWE for the gender and the age
We have compared children who have resorted to traditional healer with the children who had not resorted to traditional medicine
Summary
In sub-Sahara, epilepsy is the most common serious neurological disease for the paediatric populations. For the sub-Saharan African populations, epilepsy is a disease that has supernatural origins, occurring as a result of witchcraft, curses and demonic possessions [3,4]. These beliefs [3], associated to others factors as poverty [5] and health facilities’ inaccessibility [3,5], lead the persons with epilepsy and their families to consult the traditional healers who are often considered the only ones who can provide cure [6]. Persons with epilepsy who resort to traditional healers often spend many months or even years, without approved drugs, before consulting health facilities [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
