Evaluation of Anti-Epileptic Drug Adherence and Contributing Factors Among Adults with Epilepsy at Yekatite 12 Hospital Medical College, 2024

Background: Epilepsy affects over 50 million individuals worldwide, making it one of the most prevalent neurological disorders. Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) serve as the primary treatment, enabling up to 70% of patients to achieve seizure freedom when adhering to an effective regimen. “Medication adherence” refers to the extent to which patients follow their prescribed medication schedules, including correct dosages and intervals. This concept emphasizes a patient-centered approach in healthcare, highlighting collaboration between patients and healthcare providers in developing treatment plans rather than a one-sided directive. Studies indicate that anti-epileptic drug (AED) non-adherence rates among adults with epilepsy range from 29% to 39%. This non-adherence undermines the effectiveness of AED regimens, leading to an increased risk of fractures, injuries, and automobile accidents. Additionally, retrospective research has shown that non-adherence contributes to higher healthcare utilization andCosts as evidenced by increased emergency department visits and inpatient admissions.Objective: To assess the prevalence of anti-epileptic medication adherence and associated factors among adult epileptic patients in Yekatite 12 Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Method: A cross-sectional study involving adult epileptic patients at Yekatite 12 Medical College in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was carried out from May 3, 2024, to August 13, 2024. Data will be gathered using a structured questionnaire, and descriptive statistics will be used to analyze and present the results.Result: Of 230 respondents, 130 (56.5%) were male, and 100 (43.5%) were female. Most of the patients, 160 (69.6%), were in the 20-45 age range, while only 11 (4.8%) were above 60. Most of the respondents, 155 (67.4%), identified as Orthodox, and nearly half, 109 (47.4%), were married. Additionally, 126 (54.8%) of the patients had access to primary education. Regarding employment, 104 (45.2%) were employed, and 9 (3.9%) were students. Lastly, 123 (53.5%) of the patients earned between 1000 and 5000.Conclusion: The findings of this study show a low adherence rate to anti-epileptic drug (AED) treatment compared to the standard adherence rate of over 95%, which is necessary to effectively prevent seizure recurrence. Missing one or more doses of the AED regimen each week can lead to treatment failure and trigger seizures. In conclusion, 60% of the study participants adhered to their AED treatment, with forgetfulness being the main reason for non-adherence, followed by a busy lifestyle.