Epilepsy Pathway Innovation in Africa (EPInA)

The high incidence of epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is, in at least a quarter of cases, because of preventable factors, yet many people who may have had seizures are not diagnosed nor receive treatments. Social stigma around epilepsy also makes it hard for Africans with epilepsy to obtain employment, form relationships or feel valued. Our aims are to: 1. PREVENT: reduce the incidence of infection and peri-natal injury in an endemic region in Tanzania and the subsequent risk of epilepsy. 2. DIAGNOSE: improve the rate of accurate diagnosis of epilepsy by refining app-based technologies. 3. TREATMENT: increase the adherence to medication using text messaging. 4. SOCIETAL CHANGE: enact positive change by improving public awareness and reducing the stigma experienced by PWE in SSA.

Project Status: Ongoing
Start Date: October 1, 2019
Proposed End Date: January 31, 2025
ILAE Region: Africa
Language(s): English
Location: Kenya, Kilifi; Kenya, Nairobi; Tanzania, Mahenge; Ghana, Accra, KEMRI Wellcome Trust, Kilifi; African Population Health Research Centre, Nairobi; National Institue of Medical Research, Dar es Salaam; University of Ghana, Accra.
Principal Investigator / Organizer: Charles Newton, and Arjune Sen
Contact Person: Charles Newton, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Oxford, charles.newton@psych.ox.ac.uk; arjune.sen@ndcn.ox.ac.uk
Patient Age: All Ages
Project Type(s): Community Education, Research, Stigma, Capacity Building
Funding Source(s): Government
Project Need(s): Funding