Oreoluwa Morakinyo1, Aliu Yakubu1, Chukwuma Nwaze2, Moses Effiong3, Gregory Atafo4, Ayomide Owolabi5, Favour Ezem6, Mayowa Owolabi7
1University of Texas Medical Branch, 2Lagos University Teaching Hospital, 3Clinical Research Centre, 4St. Dominic Hospital, 5College of Medicine, Ibadan, 6University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, 7Neurology Unit, Dept of Med, UCH
Objective:
To determine the incidence and prevalence of epilepsy, as well as analyze relevant subgroups regarding the epidemiology of epilepsy, identify solutions and inform policy-makers on data-driven interventions to improve epilepsy outcomes in Africa.
Background:
Epilepsy is a major contributor to the burden of disease in Africa as it imposes significant economic, psychosocial, and mental impacts on individuals and health systems. Obstacles including restricted healthcare access, insufficient diagnostic instruments, and stigmatization intensify the treatment gap and impede precise evaluation of the illness burden. Inconsistent data from previous studies hinder accurate assessment and data-driven management of the disease.
Design/Methods:
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies reporting the incidence or prevalence of epilepsy in African populations, following PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023432628).
Results:
The findings reveal a pooled lifetime prevalence of 16.98 per 1,000 (95% CI 15.02–18.93) and a pooled active prevalence of 10.73 per 1,000 (95% CI 9.74–11.71), with regional variations. Notably, North Africa exhibited the highest prevalence rates (37.15 per 1,000; 95% CI 26.98–47.32), while Central Africa recorded the highest incidence rate at (248.24 per 100,000; I² = 84.6%) and lowest in Southern Africa (17.4 per 100,000; single study). Findings also include significant disparities in prevalence between rural and urban settings, with rural areas showing a higher burden, particularly in onchocerciasis-endemic regions. Gender differences were also noted, with higher prevalence observed in males.
Conclusions:
The study emphasizes the urgent need for targeted interventions, enhanced healthcare access, and collaborative efforts to address the multifaceted challenges of epilepsy in Africa. These findings also underline the importance of developing public health strategies and policies that consider the unique epidemiological landscape of epilepsy on the continent.
Disclaimer: Abstracts were not reviewed by Neurology® and do not reflect the views of Neurology® editors or staff.