On neurology in context of philosophical anthropology, psychology and medicine

Abstract

Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study of 96 individuals with epilepsy recruited from neurology outpatient clinics in 3 tertiary centers in Sudan. Data was collected by using a structured questionnaire containing Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-4 (MMAS-4) and Belief about Medication Questionnaire BMQ and analyzed by SPSS. Results About thirty five percent of patients were estimated to be nonadherent. Most of the patients (93%) acknowledged their need for anti-epileptic drugs. However, 35% had high concern score. Adherence is affected by attitude towards (AEDs) and presence of side effects to AEDs. The relation between side effects and adherence was significant (P Value 0.000). Furthermore, there was a statistically insignificant relation between the number of drugs used and adherence (P Value 0.002). There was a significant relation between adherence, necessity mean score, concern mean score and necessity concern differential P value 0.000 for all. Conclusion Non-adherence to anti-epileptic medication was reported in almost in one third of individuals in this cohort. There were statistically significant associations between non-adherence and both side effects and number of medications used in the treatment of epilepsy.