Premium
Prevalence case‐control study of epilepsy in three Burkina Faso villages
Author(s) -
Nitiéma P.,
Carabin H.,
Hounton S.,
Praet N.,
Cowan L. D.,
Ganaba R.,
Kompaoré C.,
Tarnagda Z.,
Dorny P.,
Millogo A.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2011.01639.x
Subject(s) - epilepsy , neurocysticercosis , taenia solium , cysticercosis , logistic regression , medicine , odds ratio , cross sectional study , confidence interval , demography , pediatrics , psychiatry , pathology , sociology
Purpose To estimate the association between the prevalence of epilepsy and potential risk factors in three B urkina F aso villages. Methods Three villages were selected based on local reports of high numbers of epilepsy cases and pig‐rearing practices. One person aged 7 or older was selected at random from all households of selected concessions for epilepsy screening and blood sampling. Epilepsy was confirmed by a physician using the ILAE definition. The cross‐sectional associations between epilepsy and selected factors and seroresponse to the antigens of T aenia solium were estimated using a B ayesian hierarchical logistic regression. Prevalence odds ratios ( POR ) and their 95% Bayesian C redible I ntervals (95% BCI ) were estimated. Results Of 888 individuals interviewed, 39 of 70 screened positive were confirmed to have epilepsy for a lifetime prevalence of 4.5% (95% CI : 3.3; 6.0). The prevalence of epilepsy was associated with a positive reaction to cysticercosis A g‐ ELISA serology ( POR = 3.1, 95% BCI = 1.0; 8.3), past pork consumption ( POR = 9.7, 95% BCI = 2.5; 37.9), and being salaried or a trader compared to a farmer or housewife ( POR = 2.9, 95% BCI = 1.2; 6.4). Discussion Several factors were associated with prevalent epilepsy, with A g‐ ELISA suggesting the presence of neurocysticercosis. The association between epilepsy and some occupations may reflect differences in local attitudes toward epilepsy and should be further explored.