TREATMENT OUTCOME AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONGCHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY AT PEDIATRIC FOLLOW UP CLINIC OF HIWOT FANA SPECIALIZED UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, HARAR, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disorder which affects an estimated 10.5Million child worldwide and 80% of them live in developing countries, often accompanied by physical and cognitive disability. However there is scarcity of evidence on treatment outcome and associated factors among children with epilepsy Objectives. The objective of this study was to determine treatment out come and associated factors of epilepsy among children at pediatric follow up clinic of Hiwotfana specialized University Hospital from November5, 2020 to February5, 2021. Methodology. Hospital-based cross-sectional study was employed. One hundred forty children who were having follow up at pediatric follow up clinic of HFSUH from November5, 2020 to February 5,2021were included with non-probability convenience sampling technique. Data on socio demographic characteristics, epilepsy treatment outcome and associated factors was collected through face to face interview of children and their care givers complemented through their medical record by Two BSc nurse and one resident using semi structured questionnaire. Data was entered Epidata 8, transferred and analyzed SPSS statistical software version 20.Both Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were computed at 95% CI and the final model was checked by Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness fit test. A p-value < 0.05 was considered to declare a statistically significant association. Result. A total of 140 epileptic children were included. Of whom 57(40.7%) had complete seizure control, 67(47.9%) had partial seizure control and 16(11.4) had poor seizure control.Phenobarbitone monotherapy (AOR=0.14, 95% CI: 0.001-0.552) and higher level of adherence (AOR=0.09, 95%CI: 0.01- 0.102) were protective of poor treatment outcome while less than higher school educational status of the primary care giver and seizure frequency greater than one before initiation of AED were predictors of poor treatment outcome. Conclusion. More than half of patients have uncontrolled seizure.Phenobarbitone monotherapy and high level of adherence were potentially protective factors of poor treatment outcome while Primary care giver with less than higher school educational status and higher initial seizure frequency before initiation of AED were predictors of poor treatment outcome.