Background and Objective: Adherence to medication is the backbone to effectiveness of a therapy. In the absence of a definitive curative therapy, antiepileptic therapy is a key intervention aimed at prolonging and improving the quality of life of patients with epilepsy (PWE) who suffer from a disease known for its stigmatization with many cultural misconceptions. The aim of the study is to assess the level of, and factors influencing adherence to antiepileptic therapy among patients in rural communities attending the outpatient clinics in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria and Jicon Hospital, Kaduna, Northern Nigeria. Materials and Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. Interviewer-administered, structured questionnaires were administered to a sample of 272 PWE attending Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital/Jicon Hospital Kaduna, who had been on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for at least one year. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select the patients. Information was obtained on their knowledge of epilepsy and adherence to antiepileptic therapy regimen as well as factors influencing adherence to AED regimen. Results: The level of knowledge of epilepsy based on signs and symptoms was high as 57.8% and 25.9% of the PWE had excellent and good knowledge respectively. Also, most of the PWE (78.6%) had adequate knowledge of antiepileptic therapy, however only 32.6% of the patients were adherent to treatment. There was a significant association between knowledge of AED therapy and adherence to therapy (p = 0.00385) but there was no association between age (p = 0.067), sex (p = 0.182) educational status (p = 0.688), income (p = 0.519) religion (p = 0.69), place of residence (p = 0.157) with AED adherence. The reasons for non-adherence included forgetfulness, drug-induced fatigue and being away from home. Conclusion: This study showed that patients with epilepsy had adequate knowledge of epilepsy and its treatment. Medication adherence was demonstrated to be low due to forgetfulness, fatigue and being away from home. We therefore recommend adherence counseling in the clinic and health educational interventions to improve adherence in our rural communities. Further exploration of the relationship between clinical outcomes and other non-drug self-management strategies is needed

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Background: Life satisfaction in Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) population is influenced by the ability to perform social roles and engage in activities. Investigations on the psychosocial aspects of SCI in Nigeria have concentrated on the objective dimensions, while much has not been documented, qualitatively, on life satisfaction among the SCI survivors in our setting. The research focused on the subjective evaluation of well-being related to social role performance among community-dwelling adults with SCI managed at the University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria.Methods: The study design is descriptive and qualitative data collection was utilized. Seventeen SCI patients who had been discharged home were purposively selected and interviewed via telephone. The domains of life evaluated included sexual life, marital life, and general life satisfaction. These were assessed with an interview guide intended for this purpose. Data were thematically content analysed.Results: Some participants could return to employment and perform occupational roles. The participants described their life as dissatisfactory. Dissatisfaction was reported with sexual and marital life and social interaction after SCI. Family role performance was likewise dissatisfactory. The participants’ dissatisfaction with life post-SCI was largely influenced by their internalization and interpretation of the inability to function in areas of life they perceived important.Conclusion: The subjective evaluation of life reported by persons living with permanent SCI suggests that they require more support from their families, healthcare providers and the community at large. Additionally, their psychosocial needs deserve constant monitoring by the significant others and healthcare providers in order to provide timely countermeasures. Keywords: Life Satisfaction; Social Role; Spinal Cord Injury; Subjective Evaluation; Nigeria

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