1. Children's access to treatment for epilepsy: experience from the Lao People's Democratic Republic
- Author
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Christian Rajaonarivo, Phetvongsinh Chivorakul, Hubert Barennes, Emercia M. Sambany, Nengyang Wangkou, Sebastien Clavel, Khouanheuane Sengkhamyong, Gwenaelle Empis, Aina Harimanana, Silaphet Somphavong, and Paulin N. Koffi
- Subjects
Child abuse ,Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Attitude of Health Personnel ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Child Health Services ,LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC ,Population ,Developing country ,Ignorance ,Disease ,Health Services Accessibility ,Epilepsy ,Humans ,Medicine ,Child ,Psychiatry ,education ,Developing Countries ,media_common ,education.field_of_study ,business.industry ,Restricted access ,medicine.disease ,Laos ,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health ,Anticonvulsants ,Clinical Competence ,business - Abstract
Epilepsy affects an estimated 10.5 million children worldwide, of whom 80% live in developing countries. The treatment gap is estimated at around 90% in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). The present work analyses some of the reasons that could explain the low access to antiepileptic drugs (AED) for children with epilepsy in the Lao PDR. Epilepsy, the 'mad pig disease', is highly neglected. Traditional beliefs, fear and stigma are common among the general population and shared by 40% of health staff. Poor knowledge of the disease and its treatment, low trust in modern treatment, restricted access to AED and ignorance of long-term treatment explain the low access to AED. Improving understanding of epilepsy and its treatment, will improve the treatment gap for epileptic children in the Lao PDR.
- Published
- 2010
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