title: Children with epilepsy in Africa: recommendations from the International Child Neurology Association/African Child Neurology Association Workshop.
abstract: This article presents key findings from the International Child Neurology Association/African Child Neurology Association Workshop. The viability of international guidelines for the management of children with epilepsy should be reviewed within each African country, and adapted to comply with the regional capacity. Such recommendations can be used to lobby for resources. More training centers should be developed in Africa, so that specialists can be trained within Africa, in skills relevant to the continent, in collaboration with "out of Africa" visiting-specialists to develop the concept of "train the trainers." At least 1 child neurology specialist per 100,000 of the population is required. Specific to Africa are the challenges from stigma, prejudice, and misconceptions. "Epilepsy teams," inclusive of the traditional healers, would enable management of increased numbers of children, and challenge policy such that it is the right of the child with epilepsy to have reliable access to appropriate antiepileptic drugs, support, and health care equity between the rural and urban settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Red Cross Children's Hospital, School of Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa. jo.wilmshurst@uct.ac.za
authors.forename: Jo M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wilmshurst
authors.forename: J Helen
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.forename: Angelina M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kakooza
authors.forename: Robinson D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Wammanda
authors.forename: Macpherson
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mallewa
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Samia
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Venter
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hirtz
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chugani
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D004493:Education; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006295:Health Resources; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007391:International Cooperation; D008490:Medical Informatics; D009462:Neurology / Q000193:education; D009938:Organizations; D010348:Patient Care Team; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012944:Social Support; D012955:Societies, Medical; D013663:Teaching; D000078329:Workforce
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants