Factors associated with antiepileptic drug adherence in epileptic patients at a tertiary care center in Ethiopia: A cross sectional study

Abstract

Background
One of the leading brain disorders in developing countries such as sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is represented by epilepsy. Non-adherence to epilepsy treatment is a worldwide health problem. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) non-adherence rates among patients with epilepsy range from 30% to 50 % and often associated with increased morbidity and mortality.
Objective
The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of AEDs non-adherence and associated factors in epileptic individuals.
Methods
This is an observational cross-sectional study conducted among epileptic patients at two tertiary care centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Both descriptive and analytical analyses were used.
Results
A total of 250 epileptic patients were included in the present study. The mean age was 29.4 (±11.5) years. Males accounted for 54%. The prevalence of AEDs non-adherence and comorbid depression was 47.6% and 45.2% respectively. In multivariate logistic analysis, age of the study participants, age at first seizure, and comorbid depression were independent predictors of AEDs non-adherence when adjusted for the covariates. Being single is associated with non-adherence (p=0.008). Nearly two-third of the patients reported having seizure in the past two years despite taking the AEDs. Individuals aged below 30 year were associated with AEDs non-adherence compared to those age above 30 (p=0.01); and co-morbid depression was significantly associated with AEDs non-adherence (p=0.009). Near-significant association was observed between AEDs non-adherence and having seizure in the past two years (p=0.05).
Conclusion
In present study, high prevalence of AEDs non-adherence was observed among epileptic patients. Participants age, age at first seizure, and comorbid depression were found to be independent predictors of AEDs non-adherence.