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Epidemiology of Epilepsies in Resource-poor Countries

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Atlas of Epilepsies

Introduction

Epilepsy is a major and preventable neurological disorder that has been present since ancient times. It is one of the foremost causes of significant public health burden in terms of morbidity, mortality, cost, need of care, and disability. This burden is especially apparent, in general, for developing countries, which characteristically show higher prevalence, frequency, and seizure severity as compared to developed countries. Nearly 80% of the 50 million people with epilepsy worldwide are estimated to live in developing countries. Out of these developing countries, nearly 50 countries are considered “resource poor (REP)” according to World Bank. These REP countries are particularly unique since their health-care delivery system is still in its infancy, making it difficult to meet the ever-growing health-care needs of these populations. These countries also have marked characteristic sociodemographic features, consistent political instability, and wide economic challenges,...

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Correspondence to Pierre-Marie Preux .

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Diagana, M., Bhalla, D., Ngoungou, E., Preux, PM. (2010). Epidemiology of Epilepsies in Resource-poor Countries. In: Panayiotopoulos, C.P. (eds) Atlas of Epilepsies. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-128-6_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-128-6_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-84882-127-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84882-128-6

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