| dc.description.abstract | ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures mainly caused by abnormal cerebral nerve cell activity and can either be idiopathic or symptomatic epilepsy (Kelly, 2015). Globally, the condition affects over 50 million people and has remained a significant public health problem in low and middle income countries with nearly 80% of the affected individuals. The general objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and factors contributing to epilepsy in MRRH.
Methods:
The study used a facility based cross sectional study design that involved 198 patients attending psychiatric clinic at MRRH. Sample size was determined using Yamane’s formula (1967) with help from estimates by DISU(2016) of 156 cases of epilepsy per 100,000 people each year in Uganda and the 2014 population of Uganda at 34,900,000 and population of Mubende (684,337). Convenient consecutive sampling technique was used and data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire and Key Informants Interview Guide. Data was entered into Microsoft Excel sheet, cleaned and exported to SPSS version 20.0 for statistical analysis. Univariate analysis of mean, frequencies and percentages were computed, bivariate analysis (Chi-square test) was performed to analyze the relationship between independent and dependent variables and adjusted logistic regression analysis was conducted for significant variables. Statistical analysis results with probability values less than 0.05 were reported significant. Qualitative data was organized and content analysis into themes was performed.
Results:
There were 198 patients studied, the mean age of the patients was 23 ± 13.81 years, 65(32.8%) and 59(29.8%) were aged between 20-29 and 10-19 years respectively. 108(54.5%) males and 90(45.5%) females. The prevalence of epilepsy was at 52.5% (104),family history of epilepsy increased epilepsy prevalence by 48% and was significantly associated with epilepsy(χ2 =6.676 df =1 p=0.010),Patients who had head injuries were 1.74 times likely to develop epilepsy compared to those who never had head injuries.
Conclusion and recommendations:
The high prevalence of epilepsy was increased by its family history and previous head injuries. There is need to increase community awareness about epilepsy, available treatment, adopting and implementing appropriate motor and non-motor accident prevention and management strategies at school, work and community levels. | en_US |
