title: Psychosocial and economic problems of parents of children with epilepsy.
abstract: The parents of children with epilepsy (PCE) face multiple psychosocial and economic problems that are often neglected. We undertook this study to ascertain these problems among the patients attending a tertiary referral center for epilepsy in India. A structured questionnaire was administrated to parents of 50 children aged between 5-10 years and having epilepsy for more than 1 year's duration. Some 52% of the children had partial epilepsy whilst the remaining had generalized epilepsy. The median seizure frequency was one per 6 months. The majority of the patients (86%) were living in villages. The family income was less than 1000 Rs per month (1 USD = 42 INR) for 66% of the patients. A decline in social activities, after the onset of epilepsy in their children, was reported by 80% of the parents. Daily routines were significantly affected in over 75% of the parents. Parents had been experiencing frustration (52%) and hopelessness (76%), whilst 60% were in financial difficulties. The most important item of expenditure was cost of drugs or cost of travel to hospital for 54% and 36% parents respectively. Impaired emotional status and poor social adaptation were co-related with the severity of epilepsy (frequent seizures/generalized seizures/attention disorder) and low economic status of the parents. These observations need to be borne in mind while organizing rehabilitation programs for epilepsy.
authors: Department of Neurology and Medical Social Work, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, India. sanjeev@giasmd01.vsnl.net.in
authors: S V
authors: SV
authors: Thomas
authors: V B
authors: VB
authors: Bindu
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003631:Day Care, Medical / Q000191:economics; D004467:Economics; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000191:economics*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires