Conducted jointly with UAC, this research explores the therapeutic pathways of epilepsy patients in the Djidja district.
The Essentials: Conducted jointly with UAC, this research explores the therapeutic pathways of epilepsy patients in the Djidja district.
Sohoueto Etienne Houeto, researcher at Unité d'Enseignement et de Recherche de Neurologie (Faculté des sciences de la santé).
Thesis defended in 2005 at the doctoral school Faculté des sciences de la Santé (BENIN).
This research was carried out under a Franco-Beninese joint supervision (cotutelle), ensuring simultaneous grounding in local field realities and international academic standards.
Context and Research Question
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition affecting a significant share of the population in Benin, yet disparities in access to care and treatment remain a concern. In the Djidja district, perceptions of epilepsy are often associated with myths and cultural beliefs, which shape patients' care pathways. A large proportion of people with epilepsy do not receive appropriate treatment, which worsens their condition and increases the risk of complications.
Access to antiepileptic drugs in this region is limited, and treatment for epilepsy patients is often relegated behind traditional medicine practices. Traditional healers are frequently consulted first, raising questions about care-seeking behaviors and the systemic obstacles to accessing medical treatment. This finding underscores the importance of an in-depth study of the therapeutic pathways of epilepsy patients in the Djidja district.
Methodology
A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted between January 10 and February 11, 2005. This study aimed to document the therapeutic pathways of epilepsy patients in the Djidja district, focusing on care-seeking behaviors and treatment choices. A population of epilepsy patients was identified and followed to collect data on their care pathways, the types of treatment sought, and the socioeconomic factors influencing access to care.
Results were collected through structured interviews and direct observation. The data were analyzed to identify trends in the care of epilepsy patients, as well as the implications of these behaviors for their health and quality of life.
Key Findings
Data analysis revealed that 76.3% of patients sought care from their first epileptic seizure. However, a notable finding is that 55.3% of patients opted for an initial consultation with a traditional healer. Traditional treatments included potions taken regularly, as well as dietary restrictions and exorcism-type practices, according to local beliefs.
Phenobarbital was the only antiepileptic drug available in the study area, offered at a very low cost of 5 FCFA per 50 mg tablet. Despite this availability, access to the medication remains limited due to various socioeconomic factors. Indeed, 59.3% of epilepsy patients were farmers, while 22.2% were unemployed, indicating low income levels and restricted access to medical care.
These findings suggest that, although epilepsy is increasingly perceived as a natural illness, patients continue to favor traditional medicine. Reliance on traditional healers for epilepsy treatment and reluctance to seek medical care point to gaps in health awareness and education.
Discussion and Outlook
The findings of this survey highlight major challenges in the management of epilepsy in the Djidja district. The high rate of consultation with traditional healers before accessing formal medical treatment points to a need for integrating traditional and medical knowledge. Such an approach could improve community understanding of epilepsy and encourage patients to seek medical care.
It is crucial to strengthen public awareness of epilepsy in order to demystify the condition and encourage the use of antiepileptic treatments. Educational programs and awareness campaigns could play a key role in reducing the stigma associated with epilepsy and in improving access to care.
Policymakers must act to strengthen access to antiepileptic medications and develop health policies that account for patients' socioeconomic realities. Collaboration between traditional healers and healthcare professionals could also be beneficial in creating a more integrated and accessible care pathway for epilepsy patients in the region.
The implications of this study underscore the importance of continued research on epilepsy and its treatment in Benin, as well as the need for a collaborative approach between traditional and modern medicine to optimize care for epilepsy patients.
Key Data
- 76.3%: of patients seek care from their first seizure.
- 55.3%: of patients first consult traditional healers.
- 59.3%: of patients are farmers, indicating a low socioeconomic status.
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Sources and Access
Sohoueto Etienne Houeto. ITINERAIRE THERAPEUTIQUE DES EPILEPTIQUES DANS L'ARRONDISSEMENT DE DJIDJA (DEPARTEMENT DU ZOU) AU BENIN. Sciences du Vivant [q-bio]. Université de Abomey-Calavi, 2005. Français. ⟨NNT : ⟩. ⟨tel-00381562⟩