Population-based study of epilepsy in Cambodia associated factors, measures of impact, stigma, quality of life, knowledge-attitude-practice, and treatment gap.
OBJECTIVE
Identify epilepsy-associated factors and calculate measures of impact, stigma, quality of life (QOL), knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP) and treatment gap in Prey Veng, Cambodia.


METHODS
This first Cambodian population-based case-control study had 96 epileptologist-confirmed epilepsy cases and 192 randomly selected matched healthy controls. Standard questionnaires, which have been used in similar settings, were used for collecting data on various parameters. Univariate and multivariate regression was done to determine odds ratios. Jacoby stigma, 31-item QOL, KAP etc were determined and so were the factors associated with them using STATA software. Treatment gap was measured using direct method.


RESULTS
Multivariate analyses yielded family history of epilepsy, difficult or long delivery, other problems beside seizures (mainly mental retardation, hyperthermia), and eventful pregnancy of the subject's mother as factors associated with epilepsy. There was high frequency of seizure precipitants esp. those related to sleep. Population attributable risk (%) was: family history (15.0), eventful pregnancy of subject's mother (14.5), long/difficult birth (6.5), and other problem beside seizures (20.0). Mean stigma (1.9±1.1, on a scale of 3) was mainly related to treatment efficacy. Mean QOL (5.0±1.4 on a scale of 10) was mainly related to treatment regularity. Cause or risk factor could be determined in 56% of cases. Treatment gap was 65.8%.


CONCLUSIONS
Factors in pre- and perinatal period were found to be most crucial for epilepsy risk in Cambodia which inturn provides major prevention opportunities. A global action plan for treatment, stigma reduction and improvement of QOL should be set-up in this country.
INSERM U1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Limoges, France.
Devender
D
Bhalla
Kimly
K
Chea
Chamroeun
C
Hun
Mey
M
Vannareth
Pierre
P
Huc
Samleng
S
Chan
Robert
R
Sebbag
Daniel
D
Gérard
Michel
M
Dumas
Sophal
S
Oum
Michel
M
Druet-Cabanac
Pierre-Marie
PM
Preux
D002160:Cambodia / Q000453:epidemiology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires