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Caregivers' Readiness to Attend Epilepsy Clinic for Their Children and Associated Factors in Ifakara, Tanzania: An
Majani Edward1,2, Albino Kalolo1,2
1Department of Public Health St. Francis University College of Health and Allied Sciences Ifakara, Morogoro Tanzania.
Insights
Caregivers
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Global Health
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Epilepsy affects children worldwide, necessitating prompt diagnosis and treatment.
- Sub-optimal clinic attendance in resource-limited settings like Tanzania hinders effective epilepsy care for children.
- Understanding caregiver readiness is crucial for improving pediatric epilepsy management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore caregivers' readiness to attend pediatric epilepsy clinics in Ifakara, Tanzania.
- To identify factors influencing caregiver attendance at epilepsy clinics for children.
- To inform interventions for enhancing clinic engagement in resource-constrained settings.
Main Methods:
- Exploratory qualitative study utilizing in-depth interviews.
- Purposive sampling of 12 caregivers of children with epilepsy in Ifakara, Tanzania.
- Inductive thematic analysis of transcribed interview data to identify key themes.
Main Results:
- Caregiver readiness is shaped by the emotional and social impact of epilepsy, including stigma and isolation.
- Perceived benefits and challenges of clinic services, such as trust and wait times, influence attendance.
- Socioeconomic barriers (cost, transport), social support, and caregiver knowledge are significant factors.
Conclusions:
- Caregiver readiness for pediatric epilepsy clinic attendance is complex, influenced by emotional, social, logistical, and economic factors.
- Interventions must address stigma, improve healthcare accessibility and affordability, and bolster community support.
- Findings highlight the need for context-specific strategies to optimize care for children with epilepsy in resource-limited areas.
Introduction:
Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder impacting children globally, with timely diagnosis and treatment being essential for optimal health outcomes. However, sub-optimal clinic attendance among children living with epilepsy, particularly in resource-limited settings like Tanzania, presents a significant challenge to effective care. This study explored caregivers' readiness to attend epilepsy clinics for their children and the factors influencing this readiness in Ifakara, Tanzania.
Methods:
This exploratory qualitative study used in-depth interviews with caregivers of children living with epilepsy in Ifakara, Tanzania. Participants were purposively selected to gather diverse perspectives and experiences. Data collection continued until thematic saturation was achieved, resulting in 12 comprehensive interviews. Inductive thematic analysis was employed to systematically identify, analyze, and report patterns and themes within the transcribed data.
Results:
The study included 12 caregivers, predominantly mothers, with varying educational and employment backgrounds. Five key themes emerged that illustrate the complex factors shaping caregivers' readiness: emotional and social impact of epilepsy (e.g., fear, stigma, isolation), perceived benefits and challenges of clinic services (e.g., trust in healthcare providers, long wait times, medication availability), socioeconomic barriers (e.g., financial constraints, transportation difficulties), the crucial role of social support from family and community, and the impact of knowledge and awareness on engagement with care.
Conclusion:
This study reveals that caregivers' readiness to attend epilepsy clinics for their children in Ifakara is influenced by a nuanced interplay of emotional, social, logistical, and economic factors. The findings underscore the critical need for multifaceted, context-specific interventions that address epilepsy-related stigma, improve accessibility and affordability of healthcare services, enhance caregiver knowledge, and strengthen community support networks to optimize care for children living with epilepsy in similar resource-constrained environments.
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