The socioeconomic status of children with epilepsy in Zambia: implications for long-term health and well-being.
Epilepsy is a highly stigmatized disorder in Zambia. Studies indicate that adults with epilepsy in many regions have significantly lower socioeconomic status (SES) than their peers. We conducted a case-control study of Zambian children with epilepsy (CWE) to assess their SES. Ninety-eight pairs of children were recruited (n=196); their mean age was 10.8 years, and 59.7% were male. The comparison group's medical conditions included asthma (54.0%), rheumatic heart disease (26.6%), type 1 diabetes (14.2%), and hypertension (5.2%). Compared with children with nonstigmatized chronic medical conditions, CWE have fewer educational opportunities, more environmental hazards, and poorer food quality and security (all P's<0.05). This deprivation may be related to lost maternal income for mothers who deferred employment so they could remain at home to care for their children. This early deprivation has long-term implications for health and well-being. Health care workers and child advocates need to be aware of the circumstances facing CWE in this region.
Chomba
Elwyn
E
Department of Pediatrics & Child Health, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia.
Haworth
Alan
A
Atadzhanov
Masharip
M
Mbewe
Edward
E
Birbeck
Gretchen L
GL
D002648:Child; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D012923:Social Class; D012931:Social Environment; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D015024:Zambia / Q000453:epidemiology