Prevalence, incidence, and clinical characteristics of epilepsy - A community-based door-to-door study in northern Tanzania

Abstract

Purpose: The main aim of this door-to-door-study was to determine the prevalence, incidence, and clinical characteristics of epilepsy in northern Tanzania. Methods: A total of 7,399 people were screened with a standardized questionnaire using "multistage random sampling." Results: The prevalence rate of epilepsy was 11.2/1,000 [95% confidence interval (CI) 8.9-13.9/1,000] and the age-adjusted prevalence rate was 13.2/1,000. The prevalence of active epilepsy was 8.7/1,000 (95% CI 6.7-11/1,000). There was a preponderance of women. The average retrospective incidence including the last 5 years was 81.1/100,000 (95% CI 65-101/100,000). Fifty-four percent (45 of 83) of the people with epilepsy had generalized seizures without any identifiable cause; 71% (59 of 83) of the epilepsy patients had not visited health institutions prior to the study and 76% (63 of 83) had never received treatment. Discussion: Our study shows that the prevalence and incidence of epilepsy in northern Tanzania are higher compared to developed countries and that the majority of people with epilepsy do not access treatment. © 2009 International League Against Epilepsy.