Risk Factors for Epilepsy in a Rural Area in Tanzania

Background and Methods: The high prevalence of epilepsy detected in rural Tanzania by Dr. Jilek-Aall since 1960, was verified by the World Health Organization (WHO) survey on neurological and seizure disorders. Neurologists and psychiatrists further interviewed both patients and controls using standard methods. The presence of possible risk factors was complemented by corroborative evidence through interviewing close relatives and scrutinizing medical records. Seizures were classified based on clinical symptoms and the use of EEG. Results: A family history of epilepsy in first-degree relatives was found in 46.6% of patients, but in only 19.6% of controls. The odds ratio for family history with epilepsy was 3.52 (95% confidence interval, CI 2.4–5.74, p Conclusion: The results indicated a strongly independent association between four factors and the risk of developing epilepsy. It would seem more likely that previous brain insults/diseases play a significant major role in the cause of epilepsy in the Mahenge area. However, a genetic predisposition to low threshold for convulsions cannot be excluded.