Challenges Associated with Anti-epilepsy Medication and Use of Complementary or Alternative Medicines among People with Epilepsy in Rural Communities of Zimbabwe
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18034/mjmbr.v6i2.475Keywords:
Anti-Epilepsy Medication, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, Traditional and Spiritual Medicine, People with EpilepsyAbstract
The main objective of this study was to analyze challenges associated with anti-epilepsy medication and use of complementary or alternative medicines among people with epilepsy in rural communities of Zimbabwe. The study opted for qualitative research because it is culturally specific and data collected is contextually rich. The target population was people with epilepsy and caregivers of children with epilepsy and using a snowball sampling technique, a sample of 15 people with epilepsy and 5 caregivers of children with epilepsy was selected. The study purposively selected 2 traditional healers, 2 faith healers and 2 psychiatric nurses to have their insight on complementary and alternative medicines in the community and data was collected using face-to-face in-depth interviews. Findings revealed that anti-epilepsy medication is associated with a number of challenges in rural communities, chief among them that people with epilepsy are not informed about the side-effects of anti-epilepsy medication such as stomach upset, dizziness, blurred vision and sexual dysfunction. As a plateau to these anti-epilepsy medication side-effects, they make use of traditional and spiritual medicines either as complementary or alternative to anti-epilepsy medication. They are also facing challenges of Anti-Epilepsy Drugs shortages and long distances to health facilities and consequently, they opt for complementary or alternative medicines to sustain their livelihoods. The study recommends modern healthcare providers to supply people with epilepsy with adequate information on the side-effects of drugs. Healthcare providers must have enough information on complementary and alternative medicines. Traditional and faith healers must be accommodated in epilepsy treatment because of sociocultural aspects, and they too must be educated on the relevance of the modern healthcare system in epilepsy treatment. The study finally recommends a study on the multi-cultural approach of epilepsy management in Zimbabwe.
Downloads
References
ADDIS M.E (2002). Methods for disseminating research products and increased evidence-based practice: Promises, obstacles, and future directions. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 9, 381-392
AL-SAFI A. (2007).Traditional Sudanese Medicine- A primer for health care providers, researchers and students. 1st Ed. Khartoum: Azza House; 115-20
ASADA-POOYA A.A & EMAMI.M (2013). Perception and Use of complementary and alternative medicine among children and adults with epilepsy: Importance of decision maker. Iran. Shiraz University of Medical Science.
ASADA-POOYA A.A., SHOKOUHYA R. S., AMAMI.M., & SHARIFZADE.M (2014). Perception and use of complementary and alternative medicine among patients with epilepsy. Arch Neuroscie. Volume 1 (3)
ASINDI, A.A., ANTIA-OBONG, O.E., IBIA, E.O. & UDO, J.J. (1995). Neonatal seizures in Nigerian infants. African Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences 24(3), 243–248.
BABIKIR H.E (2013). Traditional and spiritual medicine among Sudanese children with epilepsy. Sudan J Paediator; 13 (1): 31-37
BAXENDALE.S (2012). Epilepsy: Complementary and Alternative Treatment. Sheldon Press. London.
BERG. B.C. (1998). Qualitative Research Methods for Social Sciences. (3rd) Boston, Allyn and Bacon.
BIRBECK G.L (2000). Seizures in rural Zambia. Epilepsia, 41, 227-81.
BIRBECK G.L & BASKIND R (2013). Epilepsy care in Zambia: a study of traditional healers. Epilepsia, 46, 1121-26
CHILOPORA, G.C., KAYANGE, N.M., NYIRENDA, M. & NEWMAN, P.K., (2001). Attitudes to epilepsy in Malawi. Malawi Medical Journal 13(2), 6–8.
CORMIER L.S & HACKNEY. H (1993). The Professional Counselling; A Process Guide to Helping. Boston, Allyn and Bacon.
DEWA. W. (2012). Non-Attendance of Treatment Review Visits among Epileptic Patients in Gokwe South District: Midlands Province, Zimbabwe. College of Health Sciences, Department Of Community Medicine, University Of Zimbabwe, Harare
DIOP, A.G., DE BOER, H.M., MANDLHATE, C., PRILIPKO, L. & MEINARDI, H. (2003). The global campaign against epilepsy in Africa. Acta Tropica 87, 149
EDMONTON EPILEPSY ASSOCIATION (2007). Teens and Epilepsy. Edmonton Epilepsy Foundation. Avalaible on www.yumpu.com. Accessed [27/03/17]
EPILEPSY FOUNDATION (2017). Revised classification of seizures. Epilepsy Foundation. Available on www.epilepsy.com. Accessed [27/03/17]
EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF AMERICA (2009). Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with Epilepsy. EpilepsyUSA. Available on www.epilepsyfoundation.org. Accessed [27/03/17].
EPILEPSY SCOTLAND (2008). Epilepsy in Later life: A Good Practice Guide. Available on www.epilpsyscotland.org.uk. Accessed [27/03/17].
EPILEPSY SOCIETY (2014). Epilepsy Support Group Information. Epilepsy Society. Available on https://patient.info/support/epilepsy-society. Accessed [01/04/17
EPILEPSY SUPPORT FOUNDATION ZIMBABWE (2015). Information on epilepsy. Epilepsy Support Foundation, Zimbabwe. Available www.epilspsysupportfoundationzimbabwe.org. Accessed [01/04/17]
FEDERATION OF DISABILITY ORGANISATIONS IN MALAWI [FEDOMA] (2011). The Discourse of Disability Gowa, Malawi. Fredrick Douglas Institute Prize
FLICK, U., KARDORFF, V.E. AND STEINKE, I. (2004). A Companion to Qualitative Research. London, SAGE Publications.
GARGER, E.M (1999). Goodbye training, hello learning. Workforce, 78 (11), 35-42
KARSESKI S.C (2007). Seizure medications and their side effects. Neorology, 69 (22)
KEY, J.P. (1997). Research Design in Occupational Education. Oklahoma State University.
LUONGO (2008). Multicultrural Approaches to Health and Wellness in America. USA. Amazon
Maroyi.A (2013). Local knowledge and use of Marula [Sclerocarya birrea(A.Rich.)Hochst] in South Central Zimbabwe. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol 12 (3), 398-403.
MOHAMMED I.N AND BABIKIR H.E. (2013) Traditional and Spiritual medicine among Sudanese children with epilepsy. Sudan J Paediator; 13(1):31-37
MPOFU ET AL (2011). Rehabilitation Counselling (Asset Based Counselling Therapy. Zimbabwe Open University, Harare
MUNTHALI, A., BRAATHEN, S.H., GRUT, L., KAMALERI, Y. & INGSTAD, B. (2013). Seeking care for epilepsy and its impacts on households in a rural district in southern Malawi. African Journal of Disability 2(1), Art. #54, 8 pages.
MURGATROYD S (1992). Counselling and Helping. London. Routledge.
MUTANANA, N. & MUTARA, G. (2015). Health Seeking Behaviours of People with Epilepsy in a Rural Community of Zimbabwe. International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies. Volume 2, Issue 2 February 2015, PP 87-99.
MUTSWANGA, P & MAFUNGA. G. (2009). Multicultural Counselling. Zimbabwe Open University, Harare.
NATIONAL CENTRE FOR COMPLEMENTARY AND INTERGRATIVE HEALTH (2016). Complementary Alternative or Integrative Health: What’s in a name? Retrieved on https://www.cancer.gov/about/com. [Accessed on 09 April 2016]
NOY, C. (2008). Sampling knowledge. The hermeneutics of snowball sampling in qualitative research. International Journal of Social Research Methodology 11 (4), 327-344.
PATIENT EDUCATION INSTITUTE (2008). Information Therapy: Patient Education at its best. MD Magazine. Available on www.patient-education.com Accessed [27/03/17]
SABURI. G (2011). Stressors of caregivers of school age children with epilepsy and use of community resources. American Association of Neuroscience Nurses. Volume 43(3).
SCOTT, R.A., LHATOO, S.D. & SANDER, J.W.A.S (2001). The treatment of epilepsy in developing countries: Where do we go from here? Bulletin of the World Health Organisation 79(4), 344–351.
SHIZHA. E AND CHAREMA. J. (2011) Health and Wellness in Southern Africa. Incorporating indigenous and Western healing practices. International Journal of psychology and counselling Vol 3 (d):167-178
SIDIG A, IBRAHIM G, AND HUSSEIN A.(2009) Study of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Epilepsy among relative of epileptic patients in Khartoum State. Sudanese Journal of public health. Vol 4: 393-99.
TASHAKKORI, A., & TEDDLIE, C. (1998). Mixed Methodology: Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA; Sage.
TSENG, .W. (1999). Culture and psychotherapy: Review and practical guidelines. Transcultural Psychiatry, 36(2), pp 131-179
UNIAIDS (2010). UNIAIDS Report on Global Epidemic. Available on www.unaids.org. Accessed [01/04/17]
WALKER L.E (1999). Psychology and Domestic Violence around the World. American Psychological Association, 54(1) pp 21-29.
WALLIMAN, N. (2006). Social Research Methods. London, SAGE Publications.
WATTS A.E ( 2001). The natural history of untreated epilepsy in Africa. Epilepsia, 33, 464-8.
WHO (2001). Atlas Country on Profiles on mental health resources. WHO. USA
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION [WHO] (2004). Epilepsy in WHO Africa region: bridging the gap. WHO Africa Region, Brazzaville.
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION [WHO] (2012) Epilepsy: Fact sheet number 999, viewed 23 July 2013
-- 0 --
