The prevalence of epilepsy amongst school children in Izmir, Turkey

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of epilepsy among school children between the ages of 7-17 in Izmir province, in Turkey.

A cross sectional study was conducted. Sample size is calculated as 4654, from the target population of 420054 students. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select the schools located in Izmir Metropolitan area. For the 130 (2.8%) students whose families gave a positive 'epilepsy history' a telephone interview was conducted in order to verify the diagnosis and to evaluate a etiological factors.

Response rate was 90.5% (4216 students). Out of the 130 students who had a positive epilepsy history, 47 (36.2%) were accepted as epilepsy 'cases'. The crude prevalence rates for females, males and the total study population were found respectively to the 11.3, 11.1 and 11.2 per thousand. Prevalence of active epilepsy rates for females, males and total study population were found respectively to be 4.5, 7.0 and 5.6 per thousand.

The prevalence of epilepsy is higher in school-age children in Izmir province compared to that in developed countries.