Factors Contributing To Therapeutic Compliance Of Epileptic Patients And The Suggestive Solutions

Abstract

Epileptic seizures are only one manifestation of neurologic or metabolic diseases. Epileptic seizures have many causes, including a genetic predisposition for certain seizures, head trauma, stroke, brain tumors, alcohol or drug withdrawal, and other conditions. . Several factors affect patient's level of adherence. These factors include type of therapy, patient's own condition, health team, social and financial support patient's psychological condition . The aim; of  this work is to detect the factors  affecting  compliance to therapeutic regimen among adult patients with epilepsy and the suggestive solutions for the main factors of noncompliance. Methodology; two tools were used in the study; epilepsy self-adherence scale and interviewing questionnaire to identify factors affecting compliance. Setting; Epilepsy outpatient clinic, Ain Shams University hospital Sample: A convenience sample of (50) adult female and male patients with epilepsy were included Results: (32%) of the patients with epilepsy had unsatisfactory level of compliance to therapeutic regimen & followed instructions .Furthermore, the most common factors affecting patients` compliance negatively were therapy related factors, health care team, and financial burden (41.5%,39%&38.5%) respectively . Conclusion; more than two thirds of the patients with epilepsy had unsatisfactory compliance level. Furthermore, many factors were affecting patients` compliance such as therapy related factors, health care team ,financial factors, condition related factors, and social support. .Recommendation;. Health care providers should be oriented with the importance of patient's compliance and suitable strategies to plan and implement individualized care for each patient to improve adherence. Patients and their families should be provided with adequate knowledge about epilepsy and the importance of proper adherence to necessary self-management practices including adequate safety  precautions, diet and exercise regimens ,  follow up schedules, stress management and  avoidance of precipitating  factors that may contribute to province a seizure activity.

Keywords: patient compliance, therapeutic regimen, adherence, factor.