%0 Journal Article
%T Knowledge about the Management of Anti-Epileptic Drug Treatment among General Practitioners in Brazzaville, Congo
%A Josu¨¦ Euberma Diatewa
%A In¨¨s Fr¨¦d¨¦rique Nsond¨¦-Mondzi¨¦
%A Dinah Happhia Boubayi Motoula-Latou
%A Eliot Prince Gali¨¦ni Sounga-Banzouzi
%A Yacouba Kaba
%A Ghislain Armel Mpandzou
%A Paul Macaire Ossou-Nguiet
%J Neuroscience & Medicine
%P 9-28
%@ 2158-2947
%D 2023
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/nm.2023.142002
%X <strong>Background:</strong> Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder. It often leads to disabilities and handicaps. In Africa, epilepsy is almost exclusively treated by general practitioners (GPs) because of a shortage of epilepsy specialists. It is therefore important to know the level of knowledge about epilepsy among GPs in order to improve their skills. <strong>Objectives:</strong> To assess the level of knowledge about the management of anti-epileptic drug treatment among GPs in Brazzaville; to investigate the relationship between demographic factors and GPs¡¯ knowledge. <strong>Methods:</strong> This was a cross-sectional analytical study. It was conducted from 20 July to 1 September 2021. It focused on GPs working in public hospitals and private care centers in Brazzaville. Information on treatment aspects was collected through a standardized 11-item questionnaire. <strong>Results:</strong> Among the 137 participants, there were 84 (61.3%) men and 53 (38.7%) women. Of these participants, 36 (26.3%) were trained in Congo <em>versus</em> 101 (73.7%) in other countries. Only 21 (15.3%) GPs had good knowledge about the management of anti-epileptic drug treatment. The overall average knowledge score among GPs was low (31.4%). No significant associations were found between low and good levels of knowledge and gender (OR = 1.03; 95% CI = 0.40 - 2.68; p = 1.000), age groups (OR &lt; 1; 95% CI = 0.08 - 1.02; p &gt; 0.05), training country (OR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.19 - 1.98; p = 0.591), practice hospital (OR = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.05 - 3.20; p = 0.695) and duration of professional experience (OR &lt; 1; 95% CI = 0.04 - 2.82; p &gt; 0.05). <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The study population has insufficient knowledge about the management of anti-epileptic drug treatment. Demographic factors have no impact on GPs¡¯ knowledge. Epilepsy education programs are needed to improve GPs¡¯ knowledge and skills.
%K Epilepsy
%K Drug Treatment
%K General Practitioners
%K Knowledge
%K Brazzaville
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=125778