Epilepsy in the Developing World
Treatment and Prevention from a Public Health Perspective
May 24, 2009
This article reviews information from a 2006 World Health Organization (WHO) study titled "Neurological Disorders: Public Health Challenges."
Goal of Epilepsy Treatment
Treatment for epilepsy focuses on preventing seizures from taking place. Through medication, up to 70% of people worldwide could avoid having seizures.
For 25-30% of sufferers, their seizures do not respond to medication, and surgery is the best form of treatment. If developing countries invested more in surgery centers for treatment, lives of these people would be greatly improved. Because death can occur in some cases, seizure prevention is imperative.
Rehabilitation programs may help suffers to improve their overall physical and emotional health, as well as gain vocational skills.
In 1990, WHO estimated that the cost of medication for each person with epilepsy is $5 per year.
Prevention of Epilepsy from Head Injury
Many times the disease develops as a result of a penetrating head injury, such as a motorcycle accident. Wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle, bicycle, or horse would prevent many cases.
Prevention of Epilepsy from Perinatal Conditions
Injury during birth may cause the disease, so better care during the birthing process would reduce prevalence.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is another cause; information for mothers about the consequences of drinking while pregnant may also reduce prevalence.
Finally, improved frequency of immunizations and better public hygiene may reduce the number of fevers a child endures, which would reduce the likelihood of the disease. If the child does become ill, better use of medications to reduce fever would improve prevalence.
Prevention of Epilepsy from Central Nervous System (CNS) Infection
Epilepsy may be caused by CNS infection through parasites such as malaria and cysticercosis. If the parasites causing these diseases were eliminated, many cases would be prevented. Information disseminated to those in the tropical belt countries affected by parasites may also help reduce infection.
Global Campaign Against Epilepsy
The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE), and the WHO have partnered to create the global campaign.
Their activities include:
- organizing conferences to discuss research and treatment.
- assessment of the services of developing countries
- creation of educational materials
- increasing awareness of Epilepsy as a "universal and treatable brain disorder."
Ninety countries are currently involved in the campaign, and each country is involved with activities designed to ensure that each person with the disease has access to care and treatment of their disorder. The campaign has been successful in its goals, as they have improved education, assessment, and services for developing countries.
 |
