Epilepsy in South Africa.
Since its first democratic elections in 1994, South Africa has undertaken a massive social reconstruction program that has included major healthcare reform. The state healthcare system aims to provide a unitary service, based on a primary healthcare approach, to the 85% of the population who depend on it. Although the burden of epilepsy is largely unknown, it is likely to be large, with a study of children in a large rural community, for example, demonstrating an active prevalence of 6.7/1000. Common causes of epilepsy are likely to include infectious diseases, such as neurocysticercosis and HIV/AIDS, trauma and alcohol consumption. Limited evidence suggests the existence of a large treatment gap in some areas. The management and treatment of epilepsy are also greatly influenced by cultural attitudes and beliefs, which vary widely. South Africa thus provides a microcosm of issues affecting the management of epilepsy worldwide.
Eastman
R
R
Division of Neurology, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. reastman@uctgsh1.uct.ac.za
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000353:Africa, Southern; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D012307:Risk Factors