Epilepsy is a chronic condition of the brain affecting about 70 million people. It has a significant public health burden where WHO’s Global Burden of Disease ranked it as the second most burdensome neurologic disorder worldwide in terms of disability-adjusted life years (Murray, 2010). Worldwide 70 million people suffer from it out of whom three quarters live in low to middle-income countries where services are fragmented and poorly coordinated. Consequently, its management has substantial disparities and outcomes yet with proper and timely interventions, 70% of those affected can be managed and live their full potential. Without appropriate treatment, it has neurological, cognitive, psychological and social consequences with significant morbidity and mortality and is at an increased risk of death (Thurman et al., 2017).
Health care system factors associated with its improved outcomes are modifiable. These include preventive care, case identification and management, monitoring and effective care at the primary health care level.
Webinar Title: Management of Epilepsy in Primary Health Care
Topic Area: Clinical Medicine, Paediatrics and Primary Health Care
Objectives:
- To describe the basic structures and functions of the brain Highlight basic pathophysiological mechanism that lead to seizure occurrence (neurobiology):
- Discuss diagnostic work-ups and clinical management of seizure disorder at primary health care
- Describe the role of a primary healthcare physician in a resource-strained setting
- Promote and facilitate access to quality, affordable, innovative healthcare in the community through medical consultations and health education.
Speaker: Mr.Tiberry Nyakwana
Currently, a Lecturer, School of Medicine, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology teaching Paediatrics and PHC, runs University Epilepsy Clinic in the University Hospital. Former Vice Chairman, National Epilepsy Coordination Committee in Kenya. Worked with the Kenya Association for the Welfare of People with Epilepsy (KAWE). Holds Masters’s degree in Public Health and Epidemiology and is currently a PhD student in Public Health. I am an alumnus of VIREPA with Advanced Management of Epilepsy. Scientific Publications: Nyakwana, T.D.O., Jowi, J.O. and Simbauni, J. A. (2018). Factors Underlying Stigmatization of Epilepsy: A Comparative Study of Suba and Meru Central Districts, Kenya. Lambert Academic Publishing
Facilitator: Marie-Claire Wangari
Date: Thursday, 11th of August, 2022
Time: 15:00 Central Africa Time (GMT+2 / CAT)
Duration: 1 hour
CPD Points: 1