title: Impact of epilepsy on children and parents in Gabon.
abstract: Children with epilepsy and their parents face many social and psychological difficulties that remain insufficiently studied in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim here was to assess the quality of life of children with epilepsy and their parents. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in two urban areas and four rural areas of Gabon. Children were screened through key informants, medical sources, and a door-to-door survey. They were clinically selected based on their medical history and a clinical exam conducted by the investigating physician. Electroencephalography had not been carried out because of a lack of material and financial resources. The quality of life of children and their parents was assessed by a structured interview of parents using a questionnaire. Of 317 suspected cases on screening, 83 children with epilepsy were identified. Their mean age was 11.9±4.4years. Twelve percent of the children had neurosensory abnormalities on clinical exam. Sixty-three percent of them attended school; factors associated with schooling were higher score on the sociability subscale, specialized medical advice, and antiepileptic drug treatment. Sociability difficulties, anxiety, cognitive impairment, and behavioral disorders were suspected in 39.8%, 45.8%, 49.4%, and 42.2% of children, respectively. A total of 48.2% of parents expressed a poor quality of life related to their children's illness. A higher score on the cognition subscale, urban residence, specialized medical advice, and a stable income in the household were predictive of poor parental quality of life. Epilepsy influences many aspects of a child's life and the life of the child's parents. Care should incorporate a cognitive assessment of the child and emphasize information for patients and their relatives.
authors: INSERM UMR 1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Limoges, France; Univ Limoges, School of Medicine, Institute of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Neurology, CNRS FR 3503 GEIST, Limoges, France; Université des Sciences de la Santé, DEBIM, EA NEMIT, Faculté de Médecine, Libreville, Gabon. Electronic address: kmarail@yahoo.fr.
authors: Euloge
authors: E
authors: Ibinga
authors: INSERM UMR 1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Limoges, France; Univ Limoges, School of Medicine, Institute of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Neurology, CNRS FR 3503 GEIST, Limoges, France; Université des Sciences de la Santé, DEBIM, EA NEMIT, Faculté de Médecine, Libreville, Gabon.
authors: Edgard Brice
authors: EB
authors: Ngoungou
authors: INSERM UMR 1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Limoges, France; Centre Hospitalier Esquirol, Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de psychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent, Limoges, France.
authors: Bertrand
authors: B
authors: Olliac
authors: INSERM UMR 1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Limoges, France; Univ Limoges, School of Medicine, Institute of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Neurology, CNRS FR 3503 GEIST, Limoges, France; LEMACEN: Laboratoire d'Epidémiologie des Maladies Chroniques et Négligées, Cotonou, Benin.
authors: Cocou Hubert
authors: CH
authors: Hounsossou
authors: INSERM UMR 1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Limoges, France; Univ Limoges, School of Medicine, Institute of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Neurology, CNRS FR 3503 GEIST, Limoges, France; CHU, CEBIMER, Limoges, France.
authors: François
authors: F
authors: Dalmay
authors: Service de Neurologie, CHUL, Libreville, Gabon.
authors: Gertrude
authors: G
authors: Mouangue
authors: Service de Pédiatrie, CHUA/Département de Pédiatrie, Faculté de Médecine, Libreville, Gabon.
authors: Simon Jonas
authors: SJ
authors: Ategbo
authors: INSERM UMR 1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Limoges, France; Univ Limoges, School of Medicine, Institute of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Neurology, CNRS FR 3503 GEIST, Limoges, France; CHU, CEBIMER, Limoges, France.
authors: Pierre-Marie
authors: PM
authors: Preux
authors: INSERM UMR 1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Limoges, France; Univ Limoges, School of Medicine, Institute of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Neurology, CNRS FR 3503 GEIST, Limoges, France.
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Druet-Cabanac
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005681:Gabon; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Anxiety; Behavioral disorders; Children; Epilepsy; Gabon; Parents; Quality of life