Adherence and complementary and alternative medicine use among Honduran people with epilepsy.
Adherence to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among Hondurans with epilepsy were evaluated. Our epilepsy cohort of 274 outpatients was surveyed to determine demographics, epilepsy treatment history, adherence, and use of CAM. Nonadherence to epilepsy therapy was reported by 121, with unavailability of AEDs (48%) the most common reason. CAM was reportedly used by 141, with prayer, herbs, and potions being common. Forty-nine rural Miskito Hondurans without epilepsy were also interviewed to gain an understanding of their beliefs and longstanding practices regarding epilepsy. Seventeen (34.7%) attributed epilepsy to the supernatural; only three knew of an AED. Widespread nonadherence to evidence-based epilepsy treatments in Honduras can be attributed to inadequate education, AED unavailability, insufficient resources, cultural beliefs, and wide use of CAM. A comprehensive epilepsy education program and improved access to evidence-based AEDs represent initial priorities to improve the Honduran epilepsy treatment gap.
Neurology Training Program, National Autonomous University of Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Reyna M
RM
Durón
Marco T
MT
Medina
Orlinder
O
Nicolás
Francis E
FE
Varela
Francisco
F
Ramírez
Sean J
SJ
Battle
Arnold
A
Thompson
Luis C
LC
Rodríguez
Conrado
C
Oseguera
Rafael L
RL
Aguilar-Estrada
Susan
S
Pietsch-Escueta
Julianne S
JS
Collins
Kenton R
KR
Holden
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006721:Honduras / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D000927:Anticonvulsants