Poor treatment outcomes and associated factors among epileptic patients at Ambo Hospital, Ethiopia

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.