Challenges Associated with Anti-epilepsy Medication and Use of Complementary or Alternative Medicines among People with Epilepsy in Rural Communities of Zimbabwe

Abstract

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.

General side effects and challenges associated with anti-epilepsy medication: A review of related literature

“…Karceski 16 also identified increased sexual dysfunction, diminished fertility and disruption of the normal menstrual cycle as some of the side effects associated with anti-epilepsy medication. Mutanana 1 observed cases of women with epilepsy who are failing to conceive, while several men are experiencing erectile problems after taking anti-epilepsy medication. For children, the general side effects are drowsiness in class, inattention and restlessness, which affect normal brain functioning and can make learning to be even more difficult.…”

“…The majority of them are young, and sexual dysfunctionality has an effect on their marriages. In his study on challenges associated with epilepsy medication, Mutanana 1 observes that people with epilepsy are not well informed about these side effects when they begin to take anti-epilepsy medications. Consequently, some will opt for traditional medications as a plateau to these side effects.…”

“…As such, if the doctor recommends anti-epilepsy medication, he or she should discuss the benefits and side effects of the medication. 1 This will help people with epilepsy to appreciate the challenges associated with the medication.…”

“…Eventually, these fears may lead people with epilepsy to avoid administering prescribed medications. Mutanana 1 also observes that some people with epilepsy do not use anti-epilepsy medications because of the challenges associated with these medications.…”

“…It could be the reason why there is a big treatment gap in developing countries. As observed by Mutanana, 1 patients are not well informed about challenges associated with epilepsy medication, which explains why they opt for traditional medications especially if they suffer from the general side effects and challenges associated with anti-epilepsy medications of the developed world. This study therefore sought to analyse the general side effects and challenges associated with anti-epilepsy medication.…”