ArticlePloS one2026
Barriers to epilepsy care: Measuring the treatment gap in rural and peri-urban districts in Ghana.
Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundEpilepsy is an easily treatable condition, but a substantial treatment gap persists, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. We quantified the epilepsy treatment gap in Ghana. MATERIALS AND
methodsWe conducted a three-stage population-based study in the Shai Osudoku and Ningo-Prampram districts, embedded within the Dodowa Health and Demographic Surveillance System to estimate prevalence and assess treatment barriers from April 2023 to December 2023.
resultsWe found an epilepsy prevalence of 8.84 per 1,000 people (95% CI: 8.00-9.68). A 70% treatment gap was identified, with only 30% of those with a confirmed diagnosis using antiseizure medication. Among untreated people, the most common reason was a lack of diagnostic awareness (37.8%). Barriers to treatment included sociocultural beliefs and misconceptions, stigma, preference for alternative medicine, cost, and antiseizure medication shortages. Significant knowledge gaps were evident, with 36.8% of respondents attributing epilepsy to witchcraft or supernatural causes.
conclusionMost people with epilepsy in the area were not receiving adequate biomedical care. The observed treatment gap was associated with multiple factors, including gaps in awareness, sociocultural misconceptions, and economic barriers, suggesting the need for targeted public health interventions to improve epilepsy care and management.
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