Epidemiological survey of neurological diseases in a tribal population cluster in Gujarat

Background: There are few community-based neuroepidemiological studies based in tribal communities. This cross-sectional community-based study explored the prevalence rates of neurological disorders in the tribal region of Kaparada in Gujarat. Methodology: A two-stage methodology was used. Door-to-d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of the Indian Academy of Neurology 2018-10, Vol.21 (4), p.294-299
Main Authors: Mansukhani, Khushnuma, Barretto, Maria, Donde, Sharmila, Wandrekar, Jagruti, Nigudkar, Advaita, Nair, Ridhi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Censuses
Children
Epilepsy
Headache
Health care access
Households
India
Movement disorders
neuroepidemiology
Neurological diseases
Neurological disorders
Original
Population
Population studies
prevalence
Questionnaires
Rural areas
School dropout programs
Stroke
Studies
tribal
Vertigo
Wind
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Summary:Background: There are few community-based neuroepidemiological studies based in tribal communities. This cross-sectional community-based study explored the prevalence rates of neurological disorders in the tribal region of Kaparada in Gujarat. Methodology: A two-stage methodology was used. Door-to-door surveys were conducted in the villages of Moti Vahiyal, Arnai, and Chavshala in Kaparada taluka in the Valsad district. Trained volunteers administered a questionnaire that assessed demographic details and common neurological symptoms in children and adults. Data were obtained from 8217 individuals from 1464 households using the questionnaire in stage 1. A number of 615 individuals reported at least one symptom. In stage 2, a team of neurologists conducted a medical camp to assess those "screened in" for neurological disorders. Results: The crude prevalence rate for neurological disorders in general was found to be 2592.19/100,000. The prevalence rates for lower motor neuron diseases were highest (1010.1), and the rates of epilepsy, movement disorders, stroke, vertigo, headaches, upper motor neuron diseases, and mental and behavioral disorders were found to be 255.6, 133.9, 109.53, 170.38, 511.4, 109.53, and 292.08/100,000, respectively. Age- and sex-specific rates and patterns varied for different disorders. Conclusion: The prevalence rates of most disorders were found to be lower than those reported elsewhere, but age and sex prevalence patterns were similar to existing research. Challenges in conducting such a study in a remote population are discussed.
ISSN:0972-2327
1998-3549
DOI:10.4103/aian.AIAN_284_18