title: Epidemiology, causes, and treatment of epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: Epilepsy is a common neurological disease in tropical countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Previous work on epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa has shown that many cases are severe, partly a result of some specific causes, that it carries a stigma, and that it is not adequately treated in many cases. Many studies on the epidemiology, aetiology, and management of epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa have been reported in the past 10 years. The prevalence estimated from door-to-door studies is almost double that in Asia, Europe, and North America. The most commonly implicated risk factors are birth trauma, CNS infections, and traumatic brain injury. About 60% of patients with epilepsy receive no antiepileptic treatment, largely for economic and social reasons. Further epidemiological studies should be a priority to improve understanding of possible risk factors and thereby the prevention of epilepsy in Africa, and action should be taken to improve access to treatment.
authors.affiliation: INSERM UMR1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, and Institute of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Limoges, Limoges, France.
authors.forename: Awa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ba-Diop
authors.affiliation: INSERM UMR1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, and Institute of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Limoges, Limoges, France; CEBIMER: Center of Epidemiology, Biostatitics, and Research Methodology, CHU Limoges, France.
authors.forename: Benoît
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.affiliation: INSERM UMR1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, and Institute of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Limoges, Limoges, France.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Druet-Cabanac
authors.affiliation: INSERM UMR1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, and Institute of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Limoges, Limoges, France; Unit of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, University of Health Sciences, Libreville, Gabon.
authors.forename: Edgard B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Ngoungou
authors.affiliation: KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Collaborative Programme, Centre for Geographical Medicine, Kilifi, Kenya; Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Charles R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.affiliation: INSERM UMR1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, and Institute of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Limoges, Limoges, France; CEBIMER: Center of Epidemiology, Biostatitics, and Research Methodology, CHU Limoges, France. Electronic address: pierre-marie.preux@unilim.fr.
authors.forename: Pierre-Marie
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Preux
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D017677:Age Distribution; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001720:Birth Injuries / Q000150:complications; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications; D002494:Central Nervous System Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D004363:Drug Utilization; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012640:Seizures / Q000503:physiopathology; D003294:Seizures, Febrile / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants