Behavioral problems and cognitive impairment are common in CWE. Multivariate analysis has shown that behavioral problems were associated with socioeconomic features only. Contrariwise, cognitive impairment was associated with both socioeconomic factors and clinical features. There is a need of more studies to improve knowledge of these comorbidities in the sub-Saharan Africa context.

Background: Epilepsy mostly affects children in sub-Saharan Africa. However, little is known about the therapeutic itinerary of these children living with epilepsy (CWE). This study aims to describe the therapeutic itinerary of CWE in Kinshasa and to analyze its relationships with clinical features, behavioral problems and cognitive impairment.Methods: This hospital-based study has included 104 CWE aged 6 to 17 years. The features of their therapeutic itinerary and their relationship with clinical features, behavioral problems and cognitive impairment were analyzed.Results: The vast majority of CWE (87%) has started their therapeutic itinerary by the Western medicine. The first source of information about epilepsy as well as the type of antiepileptic treatment varied with the socioeconomic status of families of CWE. The total duration of the therapeutic itinerary was shorter for the CWE who were living with both their parents (P = .038), who had generalized seizures (P = .0073) or who had no family history of epileptic seizures (P = .019). The CWE who had total behavioral problem, compared to the others, were putting more time (P = .021) to reach the CSMT after the suspicion or the diagnostic of epilepsy. The total duration of CWE who had cognitive impairment (P = .021) was longer than that of CWE who had not cognitive impairment.Conclusion: the therapeutic itinerary of CWE in Kinshasa began with Western medicine. The remainder of this therapeutic itinerary highlights the difficulties of the primary level of the pyramid of care in the management of these CWE. This study also shows that the therapeutic itinerary of CWE was associated with socioeconomic conditions, clinical features, behavioral problems and cognitive impairment.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract