Abstract:
Approximately one third of patients with epilepsy continue to experience seizure despite the prescription of
appropriate doses of anti-epileptic drugs. The objective of this study was to assess treatment outcomes and
associated factors for poor treatment outcomes among patients taking anti-epileptic drugs at Ambo Hospital,
West Shewa, Ethiopia. A hospital based cross–sectional study was conducted. Verbal consent from participants
was taken before interview. Fifty-nine patients (44.7%) had poor seizure control. The most common seizure
triggering factors were emotional stress (97.4%), sleep deprivation (78.1%), missing meal (29.8%)and missing
medication (21.9%). Seventy one patients (53.8%) were non-adherent to medication. Therefore there is
significant association between level of adherence (P=0.001), number of seizure attacks before anti-epileptic
drugs initiation (p=0.028), electroencephalogram(neurologic abnormality) (p=0.04) and age at onset of seizure
(diagnosis) (p=0.026). Poor treatment outcomes among epileptic patients is associated with level of adherence,
number of seizure attacks before anti-epileptic drugs initiations, electroencephalogram(neurologic
abnormality) and age at onset of seizure (diagnosis). The most common seizure triggering factors were
emotional distress, sleep deprivation, missing meal, missing medication and noise. Strict medication adherence
evaluation and enhancement through continues health education, close follow up with multidisciplinary
approach are fundamental to the successful management of epileptic patients.
