Seizure control status and associated factors Among children with epilepsy at jimma medical Center neurology follow up clinic,south west Ethiopia

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