Sierra Leone News: Today is International Epilepsy Day

Epilepsy also known as “fits” is one of the world’s most common illnesses that has been misunderstood for centuries. In order to raise awareness of families on the condition the world started commemorating the International Epilepsy Day in February 2015. This is a special event, which promotes awareness of epilepsy in more than 120 countries each year. Today, 12 February 2017, Sierra Leone joins other countries in the world to commemorate the day on the theme “Epilepsy is more than seizures.
According to the Mayo Clinic, in the U.S., epilepsy is a central nervous system (neurological) disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness.
Anyone can develop epilepsy. Epilepsy affects both males and females of all races, ethnic backgrounds and ages.
Seizure symptoms can vary widely. Some people with epilepsy simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure, while others repeatedly twitch their arms or legs. Having a single seizure doesn’t mean you have epilepsy. At least two unprovoked seizures are generally required for an epilepsy diagnosis.
Because there was rare diagnostic of the condition, many thought or associated the disease with witchcraft, demonic attacks or atonement for sin. Therefore, the job for treatment was left for traditional healers leading to long-term complications.
Research shows that epilepsy rate is higher in African countries like Sierra Leone than in western European countries due to a range of factors.
Epilepsy has no identifiable
cause in about half the people with the condition. In the other half, the condition may be traced to various factors, including:
*Genetic influence. Some types of epilepsy run in families. In these cases, it’s likely that there’s a genetic influence.
*Head trauma. Head trauma as a result of a car accident or other traumatic injury can cause epilepsy.
*Brain conditions. Brain conditions that cause damage to the brain, such as brain tumors or strokes, can cause epilepsy. Stroke is a leading cause of epilepsy in adults older than age 35.
*Infectious diseases. Infectious diseases, such as meningitis, AIDS and viral encephalitis, can cause epilepsy.
*Prenatal injury. Before birth, babies are sensitive to brain damage that could be caused by several factors, such as an infection in the mother, poor nutrition or oxygen deficiencies. This brain damage can result in epilepsy or cerebral palsy.
According to a handbook for health workers on Epilepsy in Sierra Leone developed by National Epilepsy Program in Sierra Leone, Radcliffe Lisk, “There are no national studies on epilepsy prevalence but local studies suggest rates in excess of 1%, equating to over 60,000 people nationally. This exceeds the reported prevalence of AIDS in the country.
Lamin suffers from the illness. He said, “I started experiencing this condition in 2007. I was abandoned by my friends and family members”.
Sandy, another patient stated, “My parents thought it was a demonic attack so they wanted me to follow traditional healing method but I refused”.
Lucy added, “My sister was asked to stop attending school due to frequent attacks.” According to Lisk, 63% of the victims cover people over 16 years, 33% are those between 5 and 16 while 4% are those below 5-years. Dr. Abdul Jalloh, psychiatrist attached to the mental hospital in Freetown, said other things associated with epilepsy are mental health disorders. He noted that about 50% of people with epilepsy have mental health disorder, which is as a result of social factors. Some of the mental manifestation according to him includes depression and anxiety.
According to Dr. Wurie, the Director of Non-communicable Disease at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, the day is commemorated in order to let the public know that the disease do not only attack people, but it leads to the development of other problems. He said this condition can attack people of all ages therefore communities need to know that they should help victims and the disease can be treated.
Through the national epilepsy program patients can access free medical attention. Patient and family members are encouraged to call +232 88555333 for help.
EDB/10/2/18
By Edna Browne-Dauphine
Monday February 12, 2018.