BURDEN OF EPILEPSY IN KENYA
KENYA PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC CONFFERENCE.
INTRODUCTION
SATURDAY
21ST MAY 2011
‘’PHARMACY IN 21ST CENTURY’’
JANE ROIMEN
KAWE MEDICAL MANAGER
INTRODUCTION
• Epilepsy is the most common chronic
neurological disorder characterized by
recurrent seizures.
• Not all seizures are epilepsy.
• Active epilepsy is where there has been two or
more seizures with a year.
• Seizures are a sign and symptom of brain
disturbance.
• has no age, racial, social, gender or
geographical boundaries.
Global Perspectives.
• 10% of total world population experiences at
least one seizure in normal life.
• Approx.50 million people worldwide have
recurrent seizures , of whom 40 million (80%)are
estimated to live in resource poor countries .
• Although 70% of all these can be treated to have
seizure free lives, up to 80-90% of people with
epilepsy do not receive appropriate treatment for
their condition in low income countries.
• Only 10 million of these receive treatment.
Prevalence
Prevalence
• Rates of epilepsy range from 2.2 to 58 per
1000 in the African region
• From many studies around the world it has
been estimated approximately 8.2 per 1,000
of the general population.
• Lowest is in South Africa
• Higher in poor states due to poor health
conditions
Kenya’s situation
• Epilepsy is a chronic and serious medical
condition.
• In Kenya today, an estimated 800,000 people
suffer from Epilepsy.
• Majority of these (over 80%) are in the rural
and urban slum areas.
• This translates to 2 out of every 100 Kenyan
suffers from Epilepsy today.
• 20 per 1,000 Kenyans have Epilepsy
• In Kenyan a study done by Kaamugusha and
Feksi in 1988 in a semi-urban area in Nakuru
found a prevalence of 18.2 per 1,000
population, Kibwezi 10.2 children per 1,000
and Kilifi and 30 per 1000 respectively.
Why High Rate?
• Most of it is unknown- idiopathic
• Predisposing factors include
– Cerebral disorders
– Communicable diseases
– Peri -natal insults
– Brain stressing factors
– Road injuries
Challenges in Epilepsy control.
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High level of social stigma and negative prejudices.
Poor attitude and traditional beliefs .
Ignorance.
Discrimination in employment and education.
Traditional healers. Most patients tend to consult them first.
Lack of resources. High poverty level.
Lack of Policy within Government. Low priority
Inadequate supply of AEDs.
Poor drug compliance. Cost of drugs.
Inadequate training of Medical Personnel.
High rate of refractory seizures (30%) in children because of
frequent brain damage, complex types of seizures and
Syndromes.
KAWE RESPONSE.(Kenya Ass. for the Welfare of
People with Epilepsy).
1. TRAINING
• Training all cadres of health personnel in epilepsy
management
2.EDUCATION AND AWARENESS CREATION
• To educate and empower various groups within the
communities and their families.
Ways of creating awareness.
• Mass media campaigns.
• Oral presentations at public gatherings, churches, schools,
institutions etc.
• Distribution of Educational and Information Material.
3.MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SUPPORT.
Three clinics in Nairobi. Karen, Riruta and Mathare –Huruma.
Way forward
• Integrating epilepsy into the primary health
care system.
• Collaboration with other government sectors
e.g. education, culture and social services
• Commitment of resources to epilepsy
activities.
• Training of health workers to improve epilepsy
management skills
• Health facility support – drugs
Conclusion
• Epilepsy is one of the most common
neurological disorder and has no age, racial,
social, gender or geographical boundaries.
• Epilepsy can have profound social, physical
and psychological consequences.
• In up to 70% of people, epilepsy responds to
treatment, but in developing countries, 75%
of people with epilepsy may not receive the
treatment they need.
• People with epilepsy continually face social
stigma and exclusion. A fundamental part of
ridding the world of this stigma is to raise
public and professional awareness.