The level of knowledge of epilepsy in among urban dwellers in SE Nigeria is low and fraught with misconceptions and gaps. There were no significant differences in the attitude scores of respondents with different levels of education. There is a need for a multi-faceted educational interventions directed at improving the awareness and understanding of the condition by all segments of the society.

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Purpose To determine the prevalence of active convulsive epilepsy and treatment gap in two Urban slums in Enugu South East Nigeria. Methods A 3 phase cross-sectional descriptive study was done to survey individuals ≥15 years in 2 slums in Enugu, South East Nigeria. Results The prevalence of epilepsy was 6.0 (95% CI: 5.9–6.0) per 1000 (men 4.4/1000, 95% CI: 2.3–6.4, women 7.8/1000, 95% CI: 4.9–10.4), p = 0.06. The peak age of active convulsive epilepsy was 40–44 years (11.2 per 1000) with two smaller peaks at 25–29 and ≥50 years. The age and sex adjusted prevalence using WHO standard population and 2006 Nigerian census population were 5.9 per 1000 (95% CI: 4.0–7.9) and 5.4 per 1000 (95% CI: 3.4–7.4). Conclusion The prevalence of epilepsy is high in urban slums in Enugu. Nationwide studies should be done to find out the true prevalence in the country.

There is a persisting poor knowledge, attitude and practice of epilepsy among secondary school students in SE Nigeria. Efforts should be made to include basic facts about disorders with social consequences such as epilepsy in school health education curriculum.

Background:The burden of Neurological diseases may be on the increase especially in developing countries. Improved outcome in these settings may require appreciation of the spectrum of Neurological diseases and the impediments to their management. We aim to determine the profile of neurological admissions and the challenges of managing these diseases at the

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), rapid urbanization and changing lifestyle have modified the profile and pattern of various medical disorders. Apart from high prevalence rates, recent trends with regard to hypertension in Africa include: low levels of awareness, treatment and control. Although a large number of studies provide data about hypertension in SSA, few studies focused on special populations such as urban slum dwellers. The WHO STEP-wise approach to surveillance of noncommunicable diseases was used to access the prevalence of hypertension among adults in one of the urban slums in Enugu. Out of the 811 individuals aged 20 years and above surveyed, 774 (95.4%) cases were analyzed. About 4.7% and 2.7% reported a past history of diabetes and stroke, respectively, whereas 15% had a positive family history of hypertension. The mean (95% confidence interval (CI)) body mass index (BMI) was 23.7 (23.2-24.2) kg m(-2) among males and 26.6 (25.7-26.7) kg m(-2) among females (P<0.0001). The prevalence of hypertension was 52.5% (95% CI: 48.9-56.0) and 55.4% (95% CI: 49.5-61.3) in males and 50.8% (95% CI: 46.4-55.1) in females (P=0.23). It increased with age peaking at 45-54 years in females and ⩾55 years in males. About 40.1% were aware of their hypertension and 28.8% of those aware had normal blood pressure. In regression analysis, systolic (R(2)=0.192) and diastolic (R(2)=0.129) blood pressures increased with age and BMI. The prevalence of high blood pressure among adults in Enugu slums is very high and a cause for concern, and calls for urgent attention.

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Background: Despite the rising prevalence of diabetes in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, few studies have assessed the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes in people with low socioeconomic status or urban slums. Methods: Using the WHO STEP-wise approach to surveillance of noncommunicable diseases, we estimated the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes among adults 20 years and older living in two urban slums in Enugu south east Nigeria. Diabetes was defined as previous history of diabetes, use of hypoglycemic agents and fasting blood glucose within the diabetes range on two occasions during the survey period. Study duration was 5 months. Results: Out of the 811 individuals invited to the clinic, 605 (74.6%) participants had their fasting blood glucose measured based on the study protocol. The prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in the population was 11.7% (95% CI; 9.2-14.3) and 7.6% (95% CI; 5.0-9.7) respectively. About 54.9% were newly detected and 28.1% of them had normal control. The prevalence of diabetes peaked at 55-64 years. The odds ratio for diabetes was significantly higher in participants ≥ 45 years (1.033, 95% CI; 1.208-3.420), participants with hypertension (0.442, 95% CI; 0.257-0.762) and stroke (1.638, 95% CI; 0.459-5.848). Conclusion: There is a relatively high prevalence of diabetes among adults in two urban slums in Enugu. Public health educational measures promoting prevention and early detection of diabetes should be encouraged. Efforts should be made to educate the populace on the need for early detection and treatment.