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Perceived Impact of Epilepsy and Its Treatment on Pediatric Patients and Their Families

Redab Al-Ghawanmeh1, Ala'a F Al-Shaikh2, Salma Burayzat1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan.

Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 26, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Epilepsy significantly impacts children and families in Jordan. Culturally sensitive tools are crucial for managing caregiver burden and improving care outcomes for pediatric epilepsy patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Child Health
  • Epilepsy Research

Background:

  • Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological condition in children, affecting 0.3% in Jordan.
  • The condition profoundly impacts the lives of children with epilepsy and their families.
  • Cultural and socioeconomic factors influence the experience of epilepsy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the perceived impact of childhood epilepsy on children and their families in Jordan.
  • To identify factors associated with the perceived severity and impact of epilepsy.
  • To highlight the role of cultural factors in caregiver burden.

Main Methods:

  • A hospital-based, cross-sectional study.
  • Involved 184 children under 18 years with epilepsy.
  • Utilized a custom-designed questionnaire for data collection.

Main Results:

  • Seizure control was achieved in 73% of pediatric patients.
  • Male gender and older age at diagnosis correlated with greater perceived epilepsy severity.
  • Older age at diagnosis negatively impacted caregiver earning potential.
  • Increased anti-epileptic drug use was linked to social constraints.
  • Cultural factors, like family size, increased caregiver burden.

Conclusions:

  • Prioritizing seizure control and quality of life is essential for managing pediatric epilepsy.
  • Culturally sensitive assessment tools are vital for addressing caregiver burden.
  • Enhancing support and care outcomes requires culturally tailored approaches for diverse populations.
Abstract

Keywords:
caregiver burdencultural factorsepilepsy treatmentfamily impactpediatric epilepsyperceived impact

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