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Prevalence of Epileptics in an Endemic Onchocerciasis Focus in Haut-Katanga/DR Congo

Received: 20 June 2022    Accepted: 19 July 2022    Published: 9 January 2023
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Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is a real public health problem in the world. Epilepsy is a cause of excess mortality and is a major cause of stigmatization and/or social discrimination. Given the existence of a link between onchocerchosis and epilepsy mentioned in previous studies. Objective: The main objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of epileptics in the endemic onchocerciasis focus in the Kafubu health zone in Haut Katanga/DRC. Method: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. The sample size consisted of 500 households for a total population of 3451 inhabitants. Result: The number of epileptics was 93, ie a prevalence of 2.7%, of which 54% were female and 46% male; the average age of onset of epilepsy was 10.4±3.7 years. 5.4% of people living with epilepsy reported visual impairment. The village most affected by epilepsy was Sambwa, with agriculture as the main activity of the heads of households of epileptics in all the villages. Conclusion: The management of epilepsy with antiepileptics and good nutrition can reduce the morbidity and mortality observed in our environment.

Published in International Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy (Volume 8, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijnpt.20220802.11
Page(s) 6-10
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Prevalence, Epilepsy, Onchocerciasis Focus, Lubumbashi

References
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[6] Musisi, S., Akena, D., Nakimuli-Mpungu, E., Abbo, C., & Okello, J. (2013). Neuropsychiatric perspectives of noddi, g syndrome in northern Uganda: A case series study and a review of literature. African Health Sciences, 13 (2), 205-218.
[7] Burfeind KG, Kashama J -MarieK, Bora BK, et all, Baseline Characterization of Epilepsy in an Onchocerciasis Endemic Area of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Brain Research Bulletin (2018),
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[10] Kaiser C, Kipp W, Asaba G, Mugisa C, Kabagambe G, Rating D, et al. The prevalence of epilepsy follows the distribution of onchocerciasis in a west Ugandan focus. Bull World Health Organ. 1996; 74 (4): 361-7.
[11] Fisher, RS., Acevedo, C., Arzimanoglou, A., Bogacz, A., Cross, JH., Elger, CE., Wiebe, S. (2014). Official report ILAE: a practical clinical definition of epilepsy. Epilepsia, 55 (4), 475-482. doi: 10.1111/epi.12550.
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[13] Newell ED, Vyungimana F, Bradley JE. Epilepsy, retarded growth and onchocerciasis, in two areas of different endemicity of onchocerciasis in Burundi. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1997; 91 (5): 525-7.
[14] Colebunders R, Tepage F, Rood E, Mandro M, Abatih EN, Musinya G, et al. Prevalence of river epilepsy in the Orientale Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2016; 10 (5): e0004478.
[15] Twum-Danso NAY. Mass treatment of onchocerciasis with ivermectin: should people with epilepsy and/or growth-retardation syndromes be excluded? Ann Trop Med Parasitol. 2004; 98 (2): 99-114.
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  • APA Style

    Criss Koba Mjumbe, Chadrack Kabeya Diyoka, Oscar Luboya Numbi, Beatrice Koba Bora. (2023). Prevalence of Epileptics in an Endemic Onchocerciasis Focus in Haut-Katanga/DR Congo. International Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, 8(2), 6-10. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnpt.20220802.11

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    ACS Style

    Criss Koba Mjumbe; Chadrack Kabeya Diyoka; Oscar Luboya Numbi; Beatrice Koba Bora. Prevalence of Epileptics in an Endemic Onchocerciasis Focus in Haut-Katanga/DR Congo. Int. J. Neurol. Phys. Ther. 2023, 8(2), 6-10. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnpt.20220802.11

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    AMA Style

    Criss Koba Mjumbe, Chadrack Kabeya Diyoka, Oscar Luboya Numbi, Beatrice Koba Bora. Prevalence of Epileptics in an Endemic Onchocerciasis Focus in Haut-Katanga/DR Congo. Int J Neurol Phys Ther. 2023;8(2):6-10. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnpt.20220802.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijnpt.20220802.11,
      author = {Criss Koba Mjumbe and Chadrack Kabeya Diyoka and Oscar Luboya Numbi and Beatrice Koba Bora},
      title = {Prevalence of Epileptics in an Endemic Onchocerciasis Focus in Haut-Katanga/DR Congo},
      journal = {International Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy},
      volume = {8},
      number = {2},
      pages = {6-10},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijnpt.20220802.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnpt.20220802.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnpt.20220802.11},
      abstract = {Background: Epilepsy is a real public health problem in the world. Epilepsy is a cause of excess mortality and is a major cause of stigmatization and/or social discrimination. Given the existence of a link between onchocerchosis and epilepsy mentioned in previous studies. Objective: The main objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of epileptics in the endemic onchocerciasis focus in the Kafubu health zone in Haut Katanga/DRC. Method: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. The sample size consisted of 500 households for a total population of 3451 inhabitants. Result: The number of epileptics was 93, ie a prevalence of 2.7%, of which 54% were female and 46% male; the average age of onset of epilepsy was 10.4±3.7 years. 5.4% of people living with epilepsy reported visual impairment. The village most affected by epilepsy was Sambwa, with agriculture as the main activity of the heads of households of epileptics in all the villages. Conclusion: The management of epilepsy with antiepileptics and good nutrition can reduce the morbidity and mortality observed in our environment.},
     year = {2023}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Prevalence of Epileptics in an Endemic Onchocerciasis Focus in Haut-Katanga/DR Congo
    AU  - Criss Koba Mjumbe
    AU  - Chadrack Kabeya Diyoka
    AU  - Oscar Luboya Numbi
    AU  - Beatrice Koba Bora
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    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnpt.20220802.11
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnpt.20220802.11
    T2  - International Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy
    JF  - International Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy
    JO  - International Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy
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    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2575-1778
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnpt.20220802.11
    AB  - Background: Epilepsy is a real public health problem in the world. Epilepsy is a cause of excess mortality and is a major cause of stigmatization and/or social discrimination. Given the existence of a link between onchocerchosis and epilepsy mentioned in previous studies. Objective: The main objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of epileptics in the endemic onchocerciasis focus in the Kafubu health zone in Haut Katanga/DRC. Method: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. The sample size consisted of 500 households for a total population of 3451 inhabitants. Result: The number of epileptics was 93, ie a prevalence of 2.7%, of which 54% were female and 46% male; the average age of onset of epilepsy was 10.4±3.7 years. 5.4% of people living with epilepsy reported visual impairment. The village most affected by epilepsy was Sambwa, with agriculture as the main activity of the heads of households of epileptics in all the villages. Conclusion: The management of epilepsy with antiepileptics and good nutrition can reduce the morbidity and mortality observed in our environment.
    VL  - 8
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

  • Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

  • Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

  • Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

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