Prevalence and Determinants of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use among Children living with Epilepsy in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Introduction: Epilepsy is a common neurologic disorder in children with its management centered on the use of anti-seizure medications (ASM). However, many children do not achieve seizure control despite being on the appropriate ASM. Hence, caregivers may seek complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) therapies. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence and types of CAM used by children with epilepsy in a tertiary hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and the factors that determines their use.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among children diagnosed with epilepsy and their caregivers. Participants were recruited using a convenient sampling method, a structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistic was performed using IBM SPSS while Pearson’s chi-square test was used to identify significant associations.

Results: The prevalence of CAM use was found to be 84.3%, the use of CAM is a risk for poor adherence to ASM. Family members were the main influencers in the decision to use CAM, and the majority of parents/caregivers did not consult their children’s healthcare providers before incorporating these therapies. Significant factors influencing the use of CAM includes: being a male (P=0.01), higher seizure frequency (P=0.002), multiple ASM use (P=0.01), and the presence of comorbidities (P=0.04). The most common CAMs used were prayers, kernel or crude oil and scarifications.

Conclusion: CAM use among children with epilepsy is common and is a cause of poor adherence to ASMs with its untoward effects. It is crucial for healthcare providers to proactively inquire about the use of CAM with caregivers during the management of childhood epilepsy and to educate them on the possible risks specifically regarding drug adherence, compliance and poor seizure control.