Objective: Establishing the prevalence of epilepsy in Uganda is crucial to inform interventions and public policy. We conducted a nationwide survey to determine epilepsy prevalence.
Methods: From January 2019 to July 2022, a door-to-door survey was conducted across all four regions of Uganda, targeting a nationally representative sample of households.
Background: Despite the advancement in medical knowledge, epilepsy is still one of the most highly misunderstood and stigmatized neurological conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is widely believed to be a contagious disease, caused by demonic possession, witchcraft, or other spiritual phenomena, and in some cases attributed to both biologic and supernatural etiologies. These misconceptions and the associated stigma result in social rejection, emotional distress, and feelings of shame.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWorld Neurosurg
May 2024
Background: Although women have made remarkable strides in several medical specialties in Sub-Saharan Africa, their presence and contribution to the development of neurosurgery remain limited. We sought to study the gender differences within Nigerian neurosurgery, identify challenges resulting from these differences, and recommend how African female neurosurgeons can maximize their effects in neurosurgery.
Methods: A structured online survey captured data on neurosurgical infrastructural capacity, workforce, and training from neurosurgical consultants and residents in neurosurgical centers in Nigeria.
Background: Like many low- and-middle-income countries in Africa, documented assessment of the neurosurgical workforce, equipment, infrastructure, and scope of service delivery in Nigeria is lacking. This study aimed to assess the capacity for the delivery of neurosurgical services in Nigeria.
Methods: An 83-question survey was disseminated to neurosurgeons and residents in Nigeria.
Objective: There has been a modest but progressive increase in the neurosurgical workforce, training, and service delivery in Nigeria in the last 2 decades. However, these resources are unevenly distributed. This study aimed to quantitatively assess the availability and distribution of neurosurgical resources in Nigeria while projecting the needed workforce capacity up to 2050.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Despite 6 decades of existence, neurosurgery is still in the developing stages in Nigeria. In this era of collaborative health system capacity-building in low- and middle-income countries, this article reviews past efforts and future prospects for collaborative neurosurgical development in Nigeria.
Methods: A bibliometric review of the Nigerian neurosurgical literature and data from a structured survey of Nigerian neurosurgeons and residents provided details of current local and international collaborations for neurosurgical research, service delivery, training, and capacity building.
Objective: Despite the well-known neurosurgical workforce deficit in Sub-Saharan Africa, there remains a low number of neurosurgical training programs in Nigeria. This study sought to reassess the current status of specialist neurosurgical training in the country.
Methods: An electronic survey was distributed to all consultant neurosurgeons and neurosurgery residents in Nigeria.
Epilepsy Behav
January 2023
Objective: This study evaluated an epilepsy training program for healthcare workers that was designed to improve their knowledge of epilepsy, its treatment, and its psychosocial effects.
Methods: This single group, before and after survey was conducted in three regional referral hospitals in Uganda. Healthcare workers participated in a 3-day epilepsy training program and were assessed immediately prior to and following the program using a 39-item epilepsy knowledge questionnaire.