Prevalence of epilepsy and seizure disorders in an urban minority population: a feasibility study.
Information on the frequency of epilepsy/seizure disorders and factors associated with development of epilepsy in an underprivileged urban ghetto population is urgently needed. A feasibility study was undertaken, and a questionnaire to collect information on seizure activity and behavior in the community was administered to a series of households with known seizure disorders, a series of households with chronic diseases, and a series of households chosen at random. Sensitivity and specificity of the seizure questions were estimated to be 0.93 and 0.89 respectively. The community was receptive to a survey of this type, and the overall refusal/nonresponse rate was 7.2%. Factors that would contribute to the success of an urban minority community survey are considered.
Locke
G E
GE
Urban Comprehensive Epilepsy Program of Los Angeles, California.
Lampert
D
D
Hauser
W A
WA
Levy
D A
DA
Greenberg
D
D
Wheeler
N C
NC
D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008913:Minority Groups; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012640:Seizures / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population