Epilepsy Care in the World: results of an ILAE/IBE/WHO Global Campaign Against Epilepsy survey.
OBJECTIVE
Information about existing resources available within the countries to tackle the huge medical, social, and economic burden caused by epilepsy is lacking. To fill this information gap, a survey of country resources available for epilepsy care was conducted within the framework of the ILAE/IBE/WHO Global Campaign Against Epilepsy.


METHODS
The study represents a major collaborative effort involving the World Health Organization (WHO), the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE).


RESULTS
Data were collected from 160 countries representing 97.5% of the world population. The information included availability, role, and involvement of professional and patient associations for epilepsy, epilepsy treatment and services including antiepileptic drugs, human resources involved in epilepsy care, teaching in epileptology, disability benefits, and problems encountered by people with epilepsy and health professionals involved in epilepsy care. The data confirm that epilepsy care is grossly inadequate compared with the needs in most countries. In addition, large inequities exist across regions and income groups of countries, with low-income countries having extremely meager resources. Complete results of this survey can be found in the Atlas: Epilepsy Care in the World.


CONCLUSIONS
The data reinforce the need for urgent, substantial, and systematic action to enhance resources for epilepsy care, especially in low-income countries.
Dua
Tarun
T
Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. duat@who.int
de Boer
Hanneke M
HM
Prilipko
Leonid L
LL
Saxena
Shekhar
S
D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D019992:Databases as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000592:standards; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004282:Documentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000628:therapy*; D014943:Global Health; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007390:International Agencies; D007391:International Cooperation; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011634:Public Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012013:Reference Books; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014944:World Health Organization