Abstract:
Background: A seizure represents the clinical expression of abnormal, excessive or synchronous
discharges of neurons residing primarily in the cerebral cortex. This abnormal paroxysmal
activity is intermittent and usually self-limited, lasting seconds to a few minutes .
Childhood epilepsy is a major public health problem worldwide. Even though anti-seizure
medications (ASM) have been demonstrated to control seizures, children with epilepsy continue
to have frequent seizures. There is a scarcity of data on seizure control status among pediatric
epileptic patients in Ethiopia.
Objective: The aim of this study is to assess seizure control status and associated factors among
children with epilepsy attending paediatrics neurology follow up clinic of Jimma medical centre,
south west Ethiopia..
Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study design was conducted among children with
epilepsy attending Pediatrics neurology follow up clinic of Jimma Medical Center from July-08
to October-5, 2022, A total of 150 children with epilepsy was included in the study which was
selected Consecutively. Data was collected by using structured pre-tested questionnaire. The data
on the questionnaire was entered into Epi data manager version 4.6 and double entry verification
was made and then exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Logistic regression analysis was
done to identify covariates associated with the outcome variable. Statistical significance was
considered at a p-value of less than 0.05.
Results: From 150 participants 67.3% have controlled seizure. Durations of AED use more than
two years (AOR: 8.9; 95% CI: 1.55–50.9; P = 0.010) ,those children who never miss or stop
AEDs use (AOR: 5.3; 95% CI: 1.75–15.9; P = 0.003 Urban residency (AOR: 5.4; 95% CI: 1.75–
17.2; P = 0.004), caregiver knowledge (AOR: 8.5; 95% CI: 2.53–28.4; P < 0.001), medication
adherence (AOR: 5.3; 95% CI: 1.76–18.0; P = 0. 003) and mono therapy (AOR: 3.5; 95% CI:
1.12–11.5; P =0.031 were significantly associated with seizure control status .
Conclusion: This study indicated that the overall seizure control status of children with epilepsy
was found to be high. In addition,seizure control status was influenced by different factors such
