Primary care physicians’ knowledge and approach to pediatric epilepsy care in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi
Keywords:
Primary care physicians, knowledge, Paediatric epilepsy care, Approach, TrainingAbstract
Background: Epilepsy is the commonest neurologic disease associated with several misconceptions. Gaps in knowledge exists among healthcare professionals, this consequently leads to poor quality of care in children with epilepsy.
Aims and Objectives: This study assessed the level of knowledge and approach to paediatric epilepsy care.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study among 149 primary care physicians from various specialties recruited by purposive sampling.
Results: Of the 149 participants, 108(72.5%) and 41(27.5%) have been practicing for less than10yrs and more than 10years respectively. For respondent less than 10 yrs, 46.3% has had a lectures/training on epilepsy while 51.2% of those in practice for more than 10years had lecture/training on epilepsy. Recurrent unprovoked seizure was the definition adopted by 129(87.2%) of the participants. Knowledge about epilepsy was higher amongst physicians and medical officers than the surgeons. Paediatricians and medical officers were more comfortable with evaluation and treatment of epilepsy. Association between specialty and comfort with evaluation and treatment of children with epilepsy (p=0.018) was significant. Majority of these primary care providers preferred initiating therapy before referring patients to the neurologists. Paediatricians 37(92.5%), Family physicians 22(75.9%) and Medical officers 33(76.7%) were more familiar with dose and side effects of commonly prescribed anti-epileptic drugs. About 73.2% of paediatrician, Family Physicians (69.0%) and Medical officers (81.4%) sought for information on new guidelines about epilepsy. All the specialties had strong willingness to participate in epilepsy workshop. (P=0.001)
Conclusion: There are gaps in the knowledge and management of epilepsy. Periodic training of healthcare professional will make a world of difference.
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