Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42627838›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Adherence to anti-seizure medications among persons living with epilepsy attending a community- based epilepsy clinic in Buikwe and Mukono Districts-Uganda: A mixed methods study.

Ronald Kibirige, Marianna Agaba Nyangire, Mark Kaddumukasa, Christine Muhumuza, Christopher Burant, Shirley Moore, Elly T Katabira, Martha Sajatovic, Jane Tugume, John Nsubuga and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

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.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Ronald KibirigeDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5563-0773
Marianna Agaba NyangireDepartment of Disease Control and Prevention, School of public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3262-8081
Mark KaddumukasaDepartment of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Christine MuhumuzaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Christopher BurantLouis Stokes VA Medical Center, Geriatric Research Education, and Clinical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America.
Shirley MooreFrances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America.
Elly T KatabiraDepartment of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Martha SajatovicNeurological and Behavioral Outcomes Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center & Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America.
Jane TugumeDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
John NsubugaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Nazarius Mbonna TumwesigyeDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Aggrey David MukoseDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0309-8926

Funding

Research training and mentorship to strengthen brain health across the lifespan in Uganda.D43NS118560 · NINDS · MAKERERE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES · PI KADDUMUKASA, MARK, KATABIRA, ELLY T · 2020 to 2024
$1.1M
NINDS NIH HHS D43 NS118560
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundEpilepsy is a common neurological disease especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Medication adherence is essential in seizure control; however, majority of patients living with epilepsy have poor adherence to anti- seizure medications. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, the factors associated with, and the experiences with adherence to anti-seizure medications among people living with epilepsy attending a community- based epilepsy clinic in Buikwe District and Mukono General Hospital in Mukono District, central-Uganda. METHODS AND MATERIAL: In this cross-sectional mixed methods study, 277 participants were enrolled and 20 in-depth interviews were conducted from April to July 2024. Socio-demographics and treatment related information were collected using structured questionnaires. Medication adherence was measured using the standardized 8- item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Modified Poisson regression was done to determine factors associated with adherence to anti-seizure medications. Thematic analysis was conducted to explore participant's experiences with adherence to anti-seizure medications.

resultsThe overall prevalence of adherence to anti-seizure medications was 66.5%. Factors significantly associated with adherence to Anti-seizure medications were earning a modest monthly income, adjusted prevalence ratios [aPR], (aPR 1.29; CI 1.13-1.53), receiving an inadequate treatment dosage (aPR 0.80; 95% CI 0.64-0.92), waiting for three or more hours at the facility (aPR 0.79: 95% CI 0.61-0.91), and being aged 30 to 34 years (aPR 0.71: CI 0.53-0.95). Key themes describing experiences with adherence to anti-seizure medications included fear of stigmatization, fear of injury and loss of life, social support, financial burden, individual motivation, misconceptions about anti-seizure medications, and limited awareness about their effectiveness.

conclusionThis study revealed that about two- thirds of people living with epilepsy were adherent to anti-seizure medications. There is a need to implement strategies such as incorporating a medication adherence tool into routine patient care to improve adherence in our settings.

Indexed as

AnticonvulsantsDrug MonitoringEpilepsyMedication AdherenceAdolescentAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesUgandaYoung AdultAnticonvulsants

Identifiers

PMID42627838
PMCPMC13496452

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.