Sociodemographic Factors Influencing Health Care–Seeking Behavior for Pediatric Epilepsy in Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Background Early presentation and initiation of appropriate anticonvulsants help in controlling epilepsy and reducing morbidity and mortality associated with epilepsy. Objectives This study aimed to assess the health-seeking behavior for pediatric epilepsy among caregivers in Southeast Nigeria and the associated sociodemographic factors. Methodology This study was a cross-sectional descriptive and questionnaire-based study. The participants were recruited consecutively. Results Majority of the caregivers were mothers, had some formal education, and were employed. While 50% of these caregivers did not seek any home treatment for seizures, the other half offered various types of unorthodox home treatments. Treatments in primary and secondary levels of care were the most common form of first point of care outside the home. The most common reasons for the choice of care outside the home were advice from relations and belief in the efficacy of care offered. About 45% of the caregivers presented to tertiary level of care within 6 months of seizure onset. The major motivators for seeking care in tertiary level of care were health workers and families of children with epilepsy. Conclusion There is a need to strengthen the primary and secondary levels of care through continuous medical education of health workers in these levels of care for effective management of epilepsy. This will help in making prompt and correct diagnosis, classification, and initiation of appropriate therapy in epilepsy.