Investigating the Socioeconomic Situations of Epileptic Children:-The Case of Me’nit Shasha Woreda, West Omo Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia

Abstract

Epilepsy is a complex disorder, which involves much more than seizures, and significant social, economic, and quality of life implications. This study aimed to investigate the socioeconomic situations of epileptic children in the case of Me’nit Shasha Woreda, West Omo Zone, and SSNPR of Ethiopia. To address these objectives, both quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed. The sample of this study comprises; epileptic children, community elder, Labor and Social Affairs, and the woreda administration. Thus, 60 epileptics were selected by using non-probability (purposive) sampling techniques. A cross-sectional study design was employed in this study. The necessary data for this study were collected from both primary and secondary sources. In-depth interviews, key informant interviews, case studies, survey, and participant observations were used. The qualitative data were analyzed thematically and triangulated alongside quantitative data. As the quantitative study findings demonstrate, various factors affect epileptics' quality of life. Among these food shortage 50 (83.3%), stigma and discrimination 52 (86.6%), poor relation with others 35 (58.3%), and drug shortage 48 (80%) are the major. Besides, qualitative findings also indicated food scarcity, a shortage of suitable houses, seizure frequency, and a shortage of clean water for washing have major implications on patients' quality of life. The study findings also revealed that epilepsy resulted different social problems on epileptics such as discrimination from family and the communities 60 (96.8%), discrimination from educational opportunities 44 (71%), excluded from social relation 51(85%) and excluded from physical activities 48 (80%). There are some interventions by the woreda administration, MTU, LSAO, and community elder to address socioeconomic situations of epileptics in the study area. In conclusion, stigma, discrimination, food scarcity, a shortage of suitable houses, seizure frequency, and a shortage of clean water for washing have determinant implications on epileptics' quality of life. The main implication of this study is the need to eliminate stigma, discrimination, improve drug access, provide safe water for washing, sufficient food, and suitable housing services may have a significant to enhance the quality of life of epileptics.