Nicholas Aderinto
Department of Medicine and Surgery Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso Nigeria.
Health Sci Rep. 2023 Apr 17;6(4):e1220. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.1220. eCollection 2023 Apr.
Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that affects many people in Africa, yet the burden of the disease is often hidden. The management of epilepsy in Africa is often inadequate due to a lack of awareness and education, limited access to diagnostic tools and treatments, inadequate coordination of care, and the stigma associated with the condition.
A comprehensive literature review was conducted to gather information on the epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of epilepsy in Africa. The review included studies from peer-reviewed journals, government reports, and gray literature.
The review revealed a high burden of epilepsy in Africa. The studies also showed a significant gap in the availability and accessibility of diagnostic tools, antiepileptic drugs, and specialized therapies such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Additionally, the review found that cultural beliefs and practices, socioeconomic factors such as poverty and lack of access to healthcare, and the stigma associated with the condition, also pose significant challenges to managing epilepsy in Africa.
The study highlights the urgent need for improved epilepsy management in Africa. Additionally, the study calls for further research on epilepsy in Africa and collaboration between all stakeholders to improve the management of epilepsy in Africa.
癫痫是一种常见的神经系统疾病，影响着非洲许多人，但该病的负担往往被掩盖。由于缺乏认识和教育、诊断工具和治疗手段获取有限、护理协调不足以及与该疾病相关的耻辱感，非洲的癫痫管理往往不够充分。
进行了一项全面的文献综述，以收集有关非洲癫痫的流行病学、诊断、管理和结局的信息。该综述包括来自同行评审期刊、政府报告和灰色文献的研究。
该综述揭示了非洲癫痫的高负担。研究还表明，在诊断工具、抗癫痫药物以及物理、职业和言语治疗等专业疗法的可获得性和可及性方面存在显著差距。此外，该综述发现，文化信仰和习俗、贫困和缺乏医疗保健等社会经济因素以及与该疾病相关的耻辱感，也给非洲的癫痫管理带来了重大挑战。
该研究强调了非洲迫切需要改善癫痫管理。此外，该研究呼吁对非洲的癫痫进行进一步研究，并呼吁所有利益相关者之间开展合作，以改善非洲的癫痫管理。
