Epidemiology of epilepsy in Nigeria: A community-based study from 3 sites

Background: We determined the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors for epilepsy in Nigeria.

Methods: We conducted a door-to-door survey to identify cases of epilepsy in three regions. We estimated age-standardized prevalence adjusted for non-response and sensitivity and the one-year retrospective incidence for active epilepsy. To assess potential risk factors, we conducted a case-control study by collecting sociodemographic and risk factor data. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) using logistic regression analysis and corresponding population attributable fractions (PAFs).

Results: We screened 42,427 persons (aged ≥ six years), of whom 254 had confirmed active epilepsy. The pooled prevalence of active epilepsy per 1,000 was 9.8 (95% CI: 8.6–11.1), 17.7 (14.2–20.6) in Gwandu, 4.8 (3.4–6.6) in Afikpo and 3.3 (2.0–5.1) in Ijebu-Jesa. The pooled incidence per 100,000 was 101.3 (95% CI: 57.9–167.6), 201.2 (105.0–358.9) in Gwandu, 27.6 (3.3–128.0) in Afikpo and 23.9 (3.2–157.0) in Ijebu-...