title: Childhood epilepsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the community-based prevalence of childhood epilepsy and its treatment gap in rural and urban population in Punjab, Pakistan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gujranwala District, from March to June 2007.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten out of 52 Union Councils of District Gujranwala, Pakistan, were randomly selected. Field officers, specifically trained for screening children with active epilepsy, performed a door-to-door survey in the selected Union Councils using area vaccinators as key informants. Final confirmation of active epilepsy and treatment details were ascertained by a qualified paediatrician and a paediatric neurologist, where required. Treatment gap was defined as relative (when treated inappropriately) and complete (complete lack of treatment).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among a total, under 16 years population of 92254, prevalence of childhood epilepsy was found to be 7.0/1000 (n=643) with similar distribution between urban and rural residents. Up to 66% (n=424) patients were being managed by an unqualified person including paramedics and faith healers. Treatment gap was found in 88% (n=566) patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Childhood epilepsy is common in both urban and rural areas of District Gujranwala. Area vaccinators may be incorporated into screening and referral program to bridge the treatment gap utilizing minimum available resources.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Neurology, The Children's Hospital, and Department of Paediatrics, King Edward Medical University, Lahore. docmalikpk2000@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: Muhammad Akbar
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.forename: Rana Muhammad
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Akram
authors.forename: Muhammad Arif
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tarar
authors.forename: Ashraf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sultan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence