Abstract
Background and aims
Epilepsy is the most common neurological diagnosis reported in sub-Saharan Africa, and psychological distress, particularly depression, is highly comorbid. Yet most patients fail to receive appropriate multidisciplinary care. This study addressed attitudes towards epilepsy and comorbid mental illness, as well as management practices among healthcare providers in sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, we explored the perceived local barriers to adequate psychiatric care.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted, and distributed using a snow-balling method, among healthcare providers in sub-Saharan African settings who were attending virtual training from Pretola Global Health and Consulting Ltd.
Results
Our survey received responses from 203 healthcare professionals in sub-Saharan African countries. Most (80.0%) recognised a positive association between mental illness and epilepsy. However, only a small proportion reported that they screen for (14.4%) or provide education on the risk of developing mental illness (12.4%) in epilepsy populations. The vast majority (93.5%) reported that treatment improvements within their local healthcare settings are required. The major themes identified as local barriers to adequate psychiatric care were a lack of confidence in how to assess for mental illness; lack of awareness that there is a heightened risk of mental illness in patients with epilepsy; and limited access to psychological services.
Conclusions
Our study highlights the need for improving access to quality treatment of mental health disorders in epilepsy populations in sub-Saharan Africa. Our practical recommendation is to provide accessible training to sub-Saharan African healthcare providers by way of a validated, online education programme detailing optimal multidisciplinary care of mental illness in epilepsy populations.
Epilepsy is the most common neurological diagnosis reported in sub-Saharan Africa, and psychological distress, particularly depression, is highly comorbid. Yet most patients fail to receive appropriate multidisciplinary care. This study addressed attitudes towards epilepsy and comorbid mental illness, as well as management practices among healthcare providers in sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, we explored the perceived local barriers to adequate psychiatric care.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted, and distributed using a snow-balling method, among healthcare providers in sub-Saharan African settings who were attending virtual training from Pretola Global Health and Consulting Ltd.
Results
Our survey received responses from 203 healthcare professionals in sub-Saharan African countries. Most (80.0%) recognised a positive association between mental illness and epilepsy. However, only a small proportion reported that they screen for (14.4%) or provide education on the risk of developing mental illness (12.4%) in epilepsy populations. The vast majority (93.5%) reported that treatment improvements within their local healthcare settings are required. The major themes identified as local barriers to adequate psychiatric care were a lack of confidence in how to assess for mental illness; lack of awareness that there is a heightened risk of mental illness in patients with epilepsy; and limited access to psychological services.
Conclusions
Our study highlights the need for improving access to quality treatment of mental health disorders in epilepsy populations in sub-Saharan Africa. Our practical recommendation is to provide accessible training to sub-Saharan African healthcare providers by way of a validated, online education programme detailing optimal multidisciplinary care of mental illness in epilepsy populations.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 119217 |
Journal | Journal of the Neurological Sciences |
Volume | 429 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 8 Oct 2021 |