Community awareness and neuroepidemiology of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy in two rural communities in Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction: onchocerciasis is the leading cause of epilepsy in onchocerciasis-endemic communities. Our study aimed to determine the incidence, prevalence and community awareness of Onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE) in two onchocerciasis-endemic rural communities in Cameroon.

Methods: we conducted a community-based cross-sectional study in two rural villages (Yangafock I, and Yangafock II) in the Mbam et Kim division of the Center Region of Cameroon. Door-to-door household visits were conducted to screen for individuals with epilepsy. OAE was defined using previously established criteria. Using an established questionnaire, we assessed community awareness of OAE.

Results: seven hundred and ninety-nine (799) peoples from 102 households (380 in Yangafock I and 419 in Yangafock II) were screened. Fifty-three (53) peoples, (33 from Yangafock I and 20 from Yangafock II) met the OAE clinical criteria. Two hundred and forty-nine (249) persons completed the community awareness questionnaire. For Yangafock I, the overall prevalence of epilepsy was 78.75 per 1000, while for Yangafock II, it was 47.7 per 1000. The five-year incidence of epilepsy was 23.8 per 1000 and 11.9 per 1000 for 44 Yangafock I and Yangafock II, respectively. The most affected age group was 20-29 years. Community members had a critically low level of OAE awareness and risk perception.

Conclusion: the high prevalence and a critically low level of public awareness underscore the need to raise community awareness of OAE to increase community engagement in the fight against onchocerciasis and its complications.