Mental health problems in Nigerian children with epilepsy: Associations and risk factors

Abstract Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder affecting children, and the greatest burden of childhood epilepsy is found in the developing countries of the world. Behavioral problems are reported to occur more frequently in children with epilepsy, but there are limited studies on the pa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Epilepsy & behavior 2012-10, Vol.25 (2), p.214-218
Main Authors: Lagunju, I.A, Bella-Awusah, T.T, Takon, I, Omigbodun, O.O
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Behavior
Child
Child Behavior - psychology
Child, Preschool
Children
Epilepsy
Epilepsy - complications
Epilepsy - psychology
Female
Humans
Male
Mental Disorders - complications
Mental Disorders - psychology
Mental Health
Mental Health Services
Neurology
Nigeria
Psychopathology
Risk Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Abstract Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder affecting children, and the greatest burden of childhood epilepsy is found in the developing countries of the world. Behavioral problems are reported to occur more frequently in children with epilepsy, but there are limited studies on the pattern of behavioral problems in children living with epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa. Eighty‐four consecutive cases of epilepsy aged ≥ 5 years seen at the pediatric neurology clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria over a period of 9 months were screened for behavioral problems using the Rutter A2 scale. Behavioral problems were found in 39 (46.6%) of 84 subjects and occurred more frequently in males. Presence of associated learning difficulties (OR 5.13, 95% CI 1.61–16.36) and being diagnosed with epilepsy within 6 months of the onset of the first epileptic seizure (OR 4.54, 95% CI 0.073–0.69) independently predicted psychopathology in the cases studied. Emotional and behavioral problems are common in Nigerian children with epilepsy. There is a need for effective mental health services for children with epilepsy in order to optimize outcomes.
ISSN:1525-5050
1525-5069
DOI:10.1016/j.yebeh.2012.08.006