title: Detection and management of depression and/or anxiety for people with epilepsy in primary health care settings in Zambia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Among the 50 million people with epilepsy (PWE) worldwide ∼15 to 60% likely also suffer from depression and/or anxiety and 80% reside in low-income regions where human and technological resources for care are extremely limited.
  
  
  METHODS
  In Zambia, we carried out a retrospective chart review of 200 randomly selected files of PWE using a structured abstraction form to systematically collect socio-demographic data and clinical details on the detection and treatment of depression and/or anxiety.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 2 PWE (1%) had depression diagnosed and none were given a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder. Complaints suggestive of underlying depressive and/or anxiety disorders were documented in 120 (60%), but no diagnoses were made and no referrals, investigations or treatment were offered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research is required to establish the prevalence of depression and anxiety among PWE in sub-Saharan Africa and efforts are needed to improve screening and treatment for common, treatable psychiatric comorbidities in PWE in resource limited settings.
authors.affiliation: Chainama College of Health Sciences. Department of Mental Health and Clinical Psychiatry, P.O. Box 30043, Lusaka, Zambia. kondwelanimbewe@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Edward K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Mbewe
authors.forename: Leana R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Uys
authors.forename: Gretchen L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Birbeck
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult; D015024:Zambia / Q000453:epidemiology