Prevention and control of acquired epilepsy in Tanzania

What is it about?

Neurocysticercosis (NCC), caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium parasite, is a leading cause of acquired epilepsy in endemic regions. Despite being a treatable condition with affordable medications such as praziquantel, albendazole, or a combination of both, the burden of NCC-induced epilepsy on human health is underrated. This study investigates how well local healthcare workers (HCWs) at the primary health-facilities are informed about NCC-related epilepsy, their perceptions of the disease, and the actions they take to diagnose, treat or prevent it. The study explores barriers to effective prevention, such as cultural beliefs, negative attitudes, lack of awareness, and limited diagnostic capacity.

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Why is it important?

Our study highlights very interesting findings; 65.2% of HCWs believed epilepsy is hereditary, 28.4% believed that people with epilepsy (PWE) could not be treated, and 38.4% of HCWs did not believe in the use of modern medicine for treating PWE. Additionally, more than three-quarters of HCWs were not aware how human get infected with NCC, and more than half did not know that NCC in PWE is treatable.

Perspectives