Seizure Rate of Control and Associated Factors in Pediatric Neurology Clinic, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2019
Ahmed Ibrahim Nawd1*, Awokech Berihun2, Tewodros Getinet3
1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
2Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
3Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
*Corresponding Author: Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Nawd, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Email: anawd2003@yahoo.com; Phone: +254710150393
https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOAPD.2026.05.034
Received: October 01, 2026
Published: October 26, 2026
Citation: Nawd AI, Berihun A, Getinet T. Seizure Rate of Control and Associated Factors in Pediatric Neurology Clinic, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2019. SVOA Paediatrics 2026, 5:5, 234-243. doi: 10.58624/SVOAPD.2026.05.034
Abstract
Background: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder of childhood, and failure to achieve seizure control can impair brain development and psychosocial well-being. We found no published data on seizure types and the rate of seizure control among Ethiopian children. This study determined the rate of seizure control and associated factors among children attending the pediatric neurology clinic of St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methods: A prospective, institution-based cross-sectional study enrolled 264 children with seizure disorders attending neurology follow-up from February 1 to July 30, 2019. Convenience sampling and a pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire were used after written parental consent. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 25 using descriptive statistics and binary and multiple logistic regression (95% confidence interval; p < 0.05). Uncontrolled seizures were defined as one or more seizures within a month.
Results: Of 264 children, 178 (67%) were male and 138 (52%) lived in urban areas; the mean age was 88 months, and 1–5 years was the commonest age group (36%). Generalized-onset tonic-clonic seizures were the most frequent type (70.8%), followed by mixed seizures (15.2%). Seizures were controlled in 160 children (60.6%). Suboptimal antiepileptic drug (AED) dosing was found in 68% of poorly controlled and 7.5% of well controlled children. MRI was done in 51.5% of children and was normal in 70%. In multiple logistic regression, poor control was associated with suboptimal drug dosing (AOR 31.7; 95% CI 15.10–67.42; p < 0.001), positive family history of seizures (AOR 3.19; 95% CI 1.45–9.26; p = 0.006) and coexisting central nervous system illness (AOR 2.20; 95% CI 0.86–5.21; p = 0.049). Age, sex, residence, parental education, household income, EEG and MRI findings were not associated with seizure control.
Conclusions: Only three in five children achieved seizure control, and suboptimal AED dosing was highly prevalent among those with poor control. Institutional guidelines for AED optimization, adherence to ILAE indications for MRI, and further research into the reasons for poor drug optimization are needed.
Keywords: Seizure control; Pediatric neurology; Epilepsy; Antiepileptic drug optimization; Ethiopia