ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2022
Community-level prevalence of epilepsy and of neurocysticercosis among people with epilepsy in the Balaka district of Malawi: A cross-sectional study.
Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers.
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12 citing papers in PubMed, 14 citations in OpenAlex.
- Prevalence of neurocysticercosis and its characteristics among people with epileptic seizures and progressively worsening severe headaches in 60 villages in three provinces of Burkina Faso.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2026Trial
- Association of depression and epilepsy in rural northern Rwanda: a prospective longitudinal study with a patient-centered approach.Epilepsy & behavior reports · 2026Article
- Spatial and temporal risk mapping of human and porcine Taenia solium infections in Malawi: a systematic review and geostatistical approach.One health outlook · 2026Article
- Prevalence of Epilepsy across 25 Sub-Counties in Three Districts of Northern Uganda.Neuroepidemiology · 2026Article
- Integrating neurological expertise into One Health strategies for pediatric neurocysticercosis-associated epilepsy control in Sub-Saharan Africa: a narrative review.One health outlook · 2025Review
- Neurocysticercosis Prevalence and Characteristics in Communities of Sinda District in Zambia: A Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of epidemiology and global health · 2024Article
- Efficacy and safety of antiparasitic therapy for neurocysticercosis in rural Tanzania: a prospective cohort study.Infection · 2023Article
- Report of three patients with extensive neurocysticercosis in rural southern Tanzania: neurological, serological and neuroradiological findings.Journal of medical case reports · 2023Article
- Article
- Unlocking the hidden burden of epilepsy in Africa: Understanding the challenges and harnessing opportunities for improved care.Health science reports · 2023Article
- Characteristics of people with epilepsy and Neurocysticercosis in three eastern African countries-A pooled analysis.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2022Article
- Epidemiological, clinical and radiological characteristics of people with neurocysticercosis in Tanzania-A cross-sectional study.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2022Article
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12 authors at 9 institutions in 5 countries.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundEpilepsy and neurocysticercosis (NCC) prevalence estimates in sub-Saharan Africa are still scarce but show important variation due to the population studied and different screening and diagnosis strategies used. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of epileptic seizures and epilepsy in the sampled population, and the proportion of NCC among people with epilepsy (PWE) in a large cross-sectional study in a rural district of southern Malawi.
methodsWe conducted a community-based door-to-door screening study for epileptic seizures in Balaka, Malawi between October and December 2012. Past epileptic seizures were reported through a 15-item questionnaire answered by at least one person per household generating five major criteria. People who screened positive were further examined by a neurologist to establish diagnosis. Patients diagnosed with epilepsy were examined and offered Taenia solium cyst antigen and antibody serological tests, and a CT scan for the diagnosis of NCC.
resultsIn total, screening information on 69,595 individuals was obtained for lifetime occurrence of epileptic seizures. 3,100 (4.5%) participants screened positive, of whom 1,913 (62%) could be followed-up and underwent further assessment. Lifetime prevalence was 3.0% (95% Bayesian credible interval [CI] 2.8 to 3.1%) and 1.2% (95%BCI 0.9 to 1.6%) for epileptic seizures and epilepsy, respectively. NCC prevalence among PWE was estimated to be 4.4% (95%BCI 0.8 to 8.5%). A diagnosis of epilepsy was ultimately reached for 455 participants.
conclusionThe results of this large community-based study contribute to the evaluation and understanding of the burden of epilepsy in the population and of NCC among PWE in sub-Saharan Africa.
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