Abstract

EGENASI, Chika K.; MOODLEY, Anandan A.; STEINBERG, Wilhelm J.  and  JOUBERT, Gina. Experience of the new seizure diary in the Free State and Northern Cape. SAFP [online]. 2023, vol.65, n.1, pp.1-11. ISSN 2078-6204.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/safp.v65i1.5736.

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is a neurological disease affecting adults and children globally. A seizure diary is one of the self-management tools for tracking seizures. This study aims to ascertain the experience of a new seizure diary by persons completing the diary in the Free State and Northern Cape of South Africa METHODS: Adult patients with epilepsy attending Universitas Academic Hospital epilepsy clinic in Bloemfontein, clinics in Kimberley and the casualty department of Kimberley hospital (Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe hospital) received a new seizure diary. After using the diary for 6 months, participants (patients, relatives or caregivers) completed a questionnaire RESULTS: A total of 139 epilepsy patients received a new seizure diary; 67 previously diary-unexposed participants and 33 participants who had previous exposure to a seizure diary. The majority of participants, namely 91% of previously diary-unexposed and 84.9% of participants who had previous exposure to the seizure diary, understood the new seizure diary. Participants who had previous exposure to a seizure diary were predominantly very positive about the new diary because it had more information. However, 21.2% indicated that they preferred the old one because it was easier to complete CONCLUSION: Patients, caregivers or relatives from both groups used the new seizure diary and provided important information about their experience with the new diary. Despite a few complaints about using the new diary, most participants who had previous exposure to a seizure diary preferred the new seizure diary CONTRIBUTION: This study explored participants' opinions of the new seizure diary

Keywords : seizure diary; epilepsy; paper diary; electronic diary; seizure frequency; participants who had previous exposure to a seizure diary; previously diary-unexposed participants.

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